Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced that he has nominated the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA), Richard A. Licht, for Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court.
"Richard is a skilled attorney who has devoted much of his career to public service as a former State Senator and Lt. Governor. He has chaired many boards and councils, and served the people of Rhode Island above and beyond the call of duty," Governor Chafee said. "Through his extensive experience, drive and legal acumen, Richard has been an asset and a proven leader in my administration. He will make a fine judge and will add to efforts to have an effective and efficient judicial system."
Richard A. Licht was appointed Director of DOA in January 2011. Prior to his appointment Richard was a practicing attorney in Rhode Island. As a former State Senator and Lt. Governor, he was a strong advocate for reforms to early childhood development and the passage of the nation's first Family and Medical Leave acts, as well as consumer protection legislation. Richard has chaired and served as a member of numerous councils, committees and boards both within state government and in the private sector, which have improved the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders, including chairing the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education. A native of Rhode Island, Richard is a cum laude graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He also has an LLM in Taxation from Boston University.
The Rhode Island Superior Court is comprised of twenty-two (22) judges and five (5) magistrates. It is the forum for jury and non-jury trials of both civil and criminal matters. The court has original jurisdiction in all felony proceedings, in civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000, and in equity matters. (The court has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court in civil matters in which the amount in controversy is between $5,000 and $10,000.) Appeals from District Court trials result in trials de novo, entirely new trials, in Superior Court. The court also hears agency, zoning board, and Probate Court appeals, among others. The Superior Court manages specific Business, Gun, Drug, Sexual Predator, and Domestic Violence Calendars, as well as a Court-Annexed Arbitration Program and an annual Settlement/Mediation week.