Accomplished Attorney Has Extensive Legal Experience, Including Arguments Before U.S. Supreme Court
Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced his nomination of attorney Sandra A. Lanni for Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Family Court, to fill the seat vacated by Raymond E. Shawcross.
"Sandra Lanni is extraordinarily well qualified for this position," Governor Chafee said. "Her extensive and accomplished legal career – which includes arguing two cases before the United States Supreme Court – makes her an exceptional candidate for a seat on the Rhode Island Family Court. Sandra is a truly gifted attorney and will make an outstanding addition to the Rhode Island judiciary."
Since 2001, Lanni has been a sole practitioner, concentrating in family law, employment related matters, civil appellate matters, alternate dispute resolution, and contract work for the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, primarily in matters in litigation. Prior to founding her own practice, Lanni was a partner with the Warwick firm of Revens, Lanni and St. Pierre, a general practice with concentration in civil litigation and employment law, and an associate with the firm of Revens and Deluca Ltd. Lanni has served as General Counsel to the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (2000-2006); Legal Counsel to the Children's Code Commission of the State of Rhode Island (1980-1991); and Assistant Town Solicitor for the Town of North Kingstown (1980-1984). She is a member of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Panel of the U.S. District Court and the Superior Court Arbitration Panel.
In addition to her extensive experience in the federal district and appeals courts, Lanni has argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court. Lanni has been admitted to the Bars of the State of Rhode Island; State of Florida; U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island; U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit; and U.S. Supreme Court.
Among Lanni's numerous awards and honors are the 1991 Rhode Island ACLU Cooperating Attorney of the Year Award; the 1992 Rhode Island ACLU Special Recognition Award; the 1997 Rhode Island Bar Association Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award; the 1998 Rhode Island ARC Silver Bullet Award; the 1999 Rhode Island ACLU Raymond J. Pettine Civil Libertarian of the Year Award; the 2001 Kent County Bar Association Lawyer of the Year Award; and the 2009 Rhode Island ACLU Cooperating Attorney Decennial Award. She has been featured in numerous editions of Best Lawyers in America and New England Super Lawyers.
Lanni is active in many community and civic organizations, including the Kent County and Providence Metro YMCAs. She has held leadership positions with the Rhode Island Bar Association; the American Inn of Court; the Federal Bar Association; the Kent County Bar Association; the Edward P. Gallogly Rhode Island Family Law Inn of Court; Rhode Island Legal Services; the American Civil Liberties Union; the Rhode Island Women Lawyers Association; and the Rhode Island Association for Justice. She is a prior member of the Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel and the Supreme Court Task Force to Examine the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Lanni is a graduate of Tufts University, where she earned a B.S. (summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) in Psychology and Child Study, and the George Washington University Law School, where she earned a J.D. (cum laude).