We are pleased to report that the Rhode Island Bar Foundation is in a position to enhance our support for nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that provide legal services to those in need, promote legal knowledge, and improve the administration of justice. 
  
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $26 million to Rhode Island organizations that provide legal services to the poor, as well as to organizations that improve the administration of justice. This year, we’re able to increase grants to current grantees and are seeking new applicants that meet our criteria. 

The current Foundation grantees are:

• Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island
• Day One
• Disability Rights RI
• Dorcas International Institute of RI
• Justice Assistance
• Kids in Need of Defense
• Phoenix Odyssey
• Rhode Island Bar Association Pro Bono Project
• Rhode Island Center for Justice
• Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness
• Rhode Island Legal Education Foundation
• Rhode Island Legal Services 
• Rhode Island Parent Information Network
• RIBA Legal Information & Referral Service for the Elderly
• Sojourner House

If you represent or are involved with a nonprofit that meets our grant criteria, I urge you to encourage the organization to apply for a 2026 IOLTA grant. The application deadline is October 10, 2025, so please act quickly.

Eligible organizations must primarily focus on providing legal services to the poor in Rhode Island, improving the delivery of legal services, promoting knowledge of the law, or enhancing the administration of justice in the state. Priority is given to programs offering direct client representation, particularly through pro bono services. Please note, funds are not awarded for legal assistance in fee-generating cases.

All applications are carefully reviewed by the Foundation's Grants Committee to ensure compliance with our criteria, and awards are subject to the availability of funds.

We are eager to distribute these funds to maximize their positive impact in the community and appreciate your help spreading the word to nonprofits that qualify. For more information on eligibility and to access the application, visit the Rhode Island Bar Foundation section of the Bar Association website or click here.

Don’t miss this opportunity—the deadline is October 10, 2025. If your organization misses this deadline, you may apply for a 2027 grant, though future funding levels are not guaranteed.

We want to make you aware of a scam email currently circulating that falsely references the Rhode Island Bar Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting. The message comes from Reservation@ExhibitsBookingZone.com and claims that housing is now open for the meeting, directing recipients to click a link to reserve a room. This message is not legitimate.

If you receive an unexpected email referencing a RIBA event from an unfamiliar address, please be cautious. Official emails from RIBA will come from an address ending in “@ribar.com” or from our email and website host “ribar.membercentral.com.” We also do not issue special “ribar” email addresses to the President or other officers. Hover over the sender’s name to confirm the true email address. If it does not match, do not respond or click any links. Simply delete the message.

All official communications about RIBA events, including the Annual Meeting, will be sent directly from us.

Starting this November, we’re launching a new CLE series designed for busy attorneys who want practical, targeted education they can actually fit into their day.  

Each session is: 

• Just 30 minutes 
• Held over Zoom at lunch time (12:30 - 1:00 pm) 
• Worth 0.5 credit (DEI, ethics, and general credits) 
• Only $35 per session 
• No fluff. Just focused, high-impact learning. 

We’ll kick things off in November and run at least one session per month through the spring. Sessions will cover everything from ethics, artificial intelligence, biases, law practice management, tech competence, and more – all taught by experienced speakers who make every minute count.

Here's what we have scheduled:

November 6
Ethical Obligations for a Remote Practice (0.5 ethics) 

November 18
Supporting Clients with Trauma: Keeping it Safe (0.5 DEI) 

December 8
Making the Most of Microsoft 365 (0.5 credit) 

December 16
The Technology Stack for a Modern Solo Practice (0.5 credit) 

January 23
Getting Control of Your Calendar (0.5 credit)

February 5
E-Filing Tips & Avoiding Common Mistakes (0.5 credit)
Also open to non-attorney legal professionals!  

February 25
The Duty of Technology Competence (0.5 ethics) 

March 12
Billing for Busy People (0.5 credit) 

April 2
Leveraging Technology Ethically (0.5 ethics) 

More sessions may be added based on interest and speaker availability. Pick and choose the ones that fit your needs—or attend them all.  

Questions or topic suggestions? Let us know! We’re building this series with flexibility in mind, and we’d love to hear from you. 

After a thoughtful selection process, we’re excited to announce the participants for this year’s RIBA Leadership Academy! These members have shown impressive leadership potential and were chosen for their exceptional skills, dedication, and commitment to the legal profession and our Bar Association.

Join us in congratulating the following members selected for the Leadership Academy:

These members have shown incredible potential as future leaders within the RI Bar and beyond. We’re confident that the Leadership Academy will help them grow their skills and make a positive impact on the legal profession. Be sure to follow the RI Bar on social media to get to know these rising stars – we’ll be featuring spotlights on each participant throughout the fall.

Let’s all congratulate these outstanding individuals on their well-deserved selection! If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Leadership Academy, feel free to reach out to Director of Communications Erin Cute at ecute@ribar.com.

Please click here to view the RI Supreme Court Order entitled, “In re Amendments to District Court Rules and Regulations Relating to Licensing, Duties, and Conduct of District Court Constables and Rules of the Constables Disciplinary Board.”

Hard copies of Supreme Court orders may be obtained by contacting the Clerk’s Office at 401-222-3272. The miscellaneous orders issued by the Supreme Court can also be viewed and downloaded from the Rhode Island Judiciary’s website.

The RI Division of Taxation has issued a scam alert to warn taxpayers about a phishing text message campaign circulating across the country. The text message prompts the receiver to enter "accurate payment information" so supposed funds can be deposited into a bank account.

If you receive a text message phishing for sensitive or personally identifying financial information, do not attempt to respond or click on any links or attachments. The RI Division of Taxation and the RI Department of State will never contact taxpayers by text regarding bills, balances, refunds, or other payments. If you receive a text message claiming to be from the RI Division of Taxation, please contact the RI Division of Taxation directly by email at tax.assist@tax.ri.gov.

Pursuant to the amended terms of Chapter 42-28.6 of the General Laws entitled "Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act" (LEODPATA), the Rhode Island Bar Association shall annually submit to the Chief Justice of the RI Supreme Court names of attorneys, who are in good standing with the RI Supreme Court, interested in being considered to serve on the LEODPATA hearing committee. The hearing committee is a deliberative body authorized to hold a hearing on a complaint against a law enforcement officer when an investigation or interrogation of a law enforcement officer results in the recommendation of some action, such as demotion, transfer, dismissal, loss of pay, reassignment, or similar action which would be considered a punitive measure. Before taking such action, the law enforcement agency shall give notice to the law enforcement officer that he or she is entitled to a hearing on the issues by a hearing committee.

This is a one-year appointment effective January 1, 2026.

Any Bar member who is interested in being considered for submission by the Rhode Island Bar Association to the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court for potential appointment to the hearing committee, please submit a letter of interest and your resume to Kathleen Bridge, Executive Director at kbridge@ribar.com or postal mail a letter to her attention at Rhode Island Bar Association, 41 Sharpe Drive, Cranston, RI, on or before Friday, October 10, 2025.

Thank you for your attention and anticipated consideration.

Please click here to view Supreme Court Executive Order 2025-06 regarding the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Courts.

Hard copies of Supreme Court executive orders may be obtained by contacting the Clerk’s Office at 222-3272. The executive orders issued by the Supreme Court can also be viewed and downloaded from the Rhode Island Judiciary’s website here.

Don't miss one the most anticipated CLE programs of the year! Recent Developments in the Law 2025 is scheduled for October 24th. Catch up on the most critical updates in criminal, civil, bankruptcy, real estate, probate, and family law—all in one day. Our expert panel breaks down the biggest cases, rule changes, and legislative shifts from the past year, highlighting what matters most to your practice. You'll walk away with practical insights, key takeaways, and a detailed written casebook to reference long after the program ends. Registration includes six CLE credits and access to the full set of electronic case summaries. To learn more and register, please click here.

Dues invoices for the 2025–2026 Bar year will be available beginning Tuesday, September 2nd. With our new website, paying online is easier than ever.

On September 2nd, RIBA members received an email from Member Central, our new Association Management System. This email included a personalized link to access your dues invoice and submit payment. Dues must be paid by October 31st, and a late fee will be applied after November 1st.

Once your payment has been processed, you will be able to access your digital Bar ID Card through the My RIBA Dashboard. From there, you may download or print your card for easy access. Please allow up to 24 hours after payment for the card to appear. The Secretary of State’s office and the prisons have been notified of the new digital format. If you would prefer a paper copy, you may request one by emailing info@ribar.com. Please allow up to one week for delivery of your Bar card. 

If you do not wish to pay online, you may download your invoice and mail a check, contact the Bar at (401) 421-5740 to pay over the phone, or request that an invoice be mailed to you, as invoices are otherwise only available online.

Please note that payment of Bar Association dues is separate from the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s annual attorney registration fee.

Please click here to view Supreme Court Executive Order 2025-05 regarding the Suspension of Calendars on Friday morning, August 29, 2025.

Join us for an evening of connection, learning, and celebration at the New Member Reception on Wednesday, October 8th, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the RI Law Center.

The evening begins with From the Bench: Navigating Practice & Perception, a candid conversation with members of the judiciary offering practical guidance for early-career success. Moderated by Hannah V. Colone, Esq. and Paige E. Macnie, Esq., Co-Chairs of the New Lawyers Committee, the panel will feature Hon. Melissa Long, Hon. Christopher Smith, Hon. Lia Stuhlsatz, and Georgi Vogel-Rosen, Esq., who will share insights on professionalism, building confidence, and making a strong first impression, along with navigating bias and advocating for yourself in any setting.

The CLE is FREE for Bar members practicing five years or less and $35 for those practicing more than five years, with 0.5 DEI credit + 0.5 general credit provided.

After the CLE at 5:00 PM, we'll open our FREE casual reception featuring complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, free professional headshots, networking, and giveaways, including a $100 Amazon Gift Card and a free RIBA CLE. This is your chance to connect with RI Bar Association officers, Committee Chairs, Leadership Academy alumni, and fellow members in a relaxed setting.

Complimentary professional headshots will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis during the scheduled time — there are no individual appointment slots. Attendees may arrive for headshots anytime between 5:00-6:30 pm and should plan to wait in line. While waiting, you'll receive a card with a link to download your images once they become available.

Attendees may participate in the CLE, the reception, or both — when registering, please be sure to select each portion of the event you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly. Space for both the CLE and headshots is limited.

Click here to register!

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Benchmark Sponsor:
Secure Future Tech Solutions

Raising the Bar Sponsor:
Adler Pollock & Sheehan PC
Aon Attorneys Advantage
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc.

Friend of the Bar Sponsors:
American Arbitration Association
Cameron & Mittleman LLP
CATIC
CBIZ
Jen Cosgrove O'Leary, Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert
Rhode Island Foundation