New Rhode Island Family Court Judge Sworn In

Family law Attorney Rui P. Alves of Alves Law found this article, from the Providence Journal website, about the recent swearing in of new Family Court Judge Karen Lynch Bernard to be very informative.

The full article follows below.


Karen Lynch Bernard sworn in as R.I. Family Court judge
June 25, 2010
By W. Zachary Malinowski
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE — An outpouring of family, friends and state dignitaries crowded into the steamy State House rotunda Thursday to witness the swearing-in of Karen Lynch Bernard as an associate justice of the state Family Court.

The ceremony, often interrupted with moments of levity, was a tribute to Lynch and her large extended family that has been a fixture in Warwick and in courtrooms across the state for decades. After Governor Carcieri introduced her as the newest state judge, Lynch kissed her husband, Bob Bernard, and hugged her three children.

She inched her way to the lectern and immediately paid homage to her parents, John D. Lynch, a prominent divorce and defense lawyer, and her mother, Pat.

Lynch is one of the couple’s 10 children.

“I could never thank you enough for the help and guidance you have given me over the years,” she said.

Lynch, has practiced family and juvenile law as a partner with her family’s firm, Lynch Bernard and Lynch, in Warwick. She is the newest Family Court judge and she replaces retired Judge Howard I. Lipsey.

Her first assignment will be in Family Court in Newport.

The swearing-in was a celebration of a local woman with strong Warwick ties who had made it to the top of the legal profession.

Francis X. Flaherty, an associate state Supreme Court justice from Warwick, served as the master of ceremonies and he reminisced about his days as Warwick mayor when Lynch served as the first woman in the city solicitor’s office.

“Karen, by virtue of your hard work, integrity and intelligence,” you have earned the right to serve on the Family Court bench, Flaherty said.

Also on hand for the invocation was the Rev. Brian J. Shanley, president of Providence College where, in 1985, Lynch earned her bachelor’s degree. “We are very proud of Karen, and I’m honored to be here today,” he said.

Others among the more than 200 in attendance were retiring Chief Family Court Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell and dozens of other judges and elected officials.




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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Divorce, Immigration, or Estate Law in RI or MA contact Massachusetts and Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer Rui P. Alves at 401-942-3100 or CONTACT him via email.