A Grateful President
Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq.
President, Rhode Island Bar Association
"This is your Bar Association, and it is only as good as we all make it."
As incoming President of the Rhode Island Bar Association, I set forth an agenda I hoped to follow during my term. I set the agenda, but soon the agenda set me, with a flow of events that were unforeseen when I started my term in July. I knew we had to deal with upgrading our website and database to make it more intuitive and easier to navigate, which will be successfully completed in May. We also undertook the dedication of the Ada Sawyer Conference Room and celebrated the Bar Foundation’s naming of the John A. Tarantino RI Bar Foundation Conference Room. We coordinated with the Bar Foundation on repairs to the Law Center building, including resealing all windows and doors and replacing the interior carpeting, with all work scheduled for completion this fall. We began moving away from relying on virtual meetings and reinstating in-person meetings for committees and the House of Delegates.
What was unexpected was the lengthy process involving the RIBA and the amended Law Enforcement Bill of Rights statute that was enacted at the end of the legislative session, as well as dealing with the new federal administration’s Executive Orders that came in a flurry in January and February, which resulted in monitoring and diligent analysis to ensure compliance with the requirements of mandatory bars set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Keller. Fortunately, I did not have to deal with a bed bug crisis!
Throughout the year, the Executive Committee and the House of Delegates provided thoughtful insight and analysis that resulted in sound policies. Once the policy choices are made, they are implemented by the hardworking staff at the Bar Association. In my final President’s Message, I want to dedicate this message to them and share the expertise and knowledge that they have demonstrated over this past term.
Our Executive Director is Kathleen Bridge, known to all of us as Katy. There is an axiom: you do not want to be the coach who replaces the legend. We are so fortunate that Katy is the exception. Helen McDonald is the legendary Executive Director of the Bar Association, and when she retired three and a half years ago, Katy succeeded her. Katy has not only upheld the high standards established by Helen, but has also consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to excellence. Katy has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Bar Association and its members. She has been invaluable during my term and provides steady leadership, thoughtful guidance, and consistent support for the staff. Katy is always open to assisting members of the Bar with their questions and concerns. Katy’s calm presence, deep institutional knowledge, and unwavering dedication keep the Bar Association running smoothly. Her commitment to the mission of the Bar and the people it serves is evident in everything she does.
Erin Cute – Communications Director (and RI Bar Journal Managing Editor)
Erin oversees the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Rhode Island Bar Journal, public relations, member communications, media inquiries, and event promotions. She manages the production of key materials such as the Annual Meeting brochure, Bar awards, and marketing content while ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all platforms. She serves as the primary liaison for media relations and organizational outreach. Additionally, she coordinates Law Related Education initiatives, supports committee communications, and leads the planning and execution of the Bar’s Leadership Academy—a year-long program that fosters professional development and engagement among emerging leaders in the legal community.
Allison Baker – Programs Coordinator
Allie is the friendly face greeting visitors to the RI Law Center. She supports the administration of Law Related Education programming and member engagement initiatives aimed at strengthening the Bar. She assists the Communications Director with project details and is responsible for front desk duties, including member inquiries and updating member resources.
NaKeisha Torres – Communications Coordinator
NaKeisha supports the Communications Director in executing the Association’s marketing, social media, and member communications strategy. She coordinates committee meetings, updates and maintains the website and attorney directory, manages social media accounts, and assists with the Bar Journal and promotional materials. Additionally, she oversees sponsor and exhibitor coordination for the Annual Meeting, manages listserv operations, and serves as a staff liaison for DEI initiatives.
Susan Cavalloro – Office Manager
Susan is responsible for overseeing daily office operations. She manages membership records, dues processing, as well as Bar Journal advertising and subscriptions. Additionally, she orders office supplies, oversees facility maintenance, and provides administrative support across departments. A longtime member of the Bar Association staff, Susan has served in various roles over the years, bringing deep institutional knowledge and continuity to the organization.
Renée Bourbonnière – Finance Director
Renee oversees all financial operations of the Rhode Island Bar Association, ensuring accurate accounting, reporting, and compliance across all funds and grants. She manages payroll processing, dues invoicing, investment allocations, and grant reporting while maintaining financial records. Additionally, she collaborates with auditors for the annual audit and ensures timely submission of retirement contributions and regulatory filings.
Madeline Benner – Continuing Legal Education Director
Madeline plans, develops, and oversees continuing legal education programs for Rhode Island Bar Association members, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive range of offerings that meet the evolving needs of legal practitioners. She manages all aspects of seminar programming, the Annual Meeting, and online training while collaborating with faculty, committees, and vendors to deliver high-quality educational content. Additionally, she monitors emerging legal education trends and supports program planners to maintain a robust and relevant CLE curriculum.
Julie Amato – CLE Coordinator
Julie supports the planning and execution of continuing legal education programs, including seminars, live webcasts, and the Annual Meeting. She handles administrative tasks such as processing CLE accreditations, coordinating food and beverage needs, managing educational materials, and assisting with marketing and communications. Additionally, she provides customer support to members, researches legal trends and speakers, and troubleshoots issues during in-person and webcast programs.
Susan Fontaine – Public Services Director
Sue is responsible for overseeing the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Public Service Programs, ensuring effective legal assistance and access to justice for underserved communities. A longtime member of the Bar Association staff, Sue has played a central role in expanding and strengthening these programs over the years, growing them into the successful and impactful services they are today. She oversees daily operations of programs like the Lawyer Referral Service, Volunteer Lawyer Program, and others while leading volunteer engagement, coordinating legal clinics, and building partnerships with community organizations. Additionally, she ensures compliance with program guidelines, tracks service metrics, advocates for program enhancements, and works on securing funding to sustain these vital services.
Theresa Gallo – RI Bar Foundation Program Director
Theresa manages the Bar Foundation’s operations, including maintaining the General Ledger System, reconciling bank statements, and coordinating with auditors to produce financial reports. She oversees the IOLTA program by liaising with financial institutions, tracking interest, ensuring attorney compliance, and administering grants through contract preparation, budget monitoring, and compliance reporting. Additionally, she facilitates Board and committee meetings, organizes fundraising efforts, plans major events such as the annual luncheon, and manages the Foundation’s website and outreach initiatives, including law school fellowships and scholarships. She also oversees the Foundation’s grant program, actively encouraging new organizations to apply while fostering strong, ongoing relationships with grantees.
Elisa King – Public Services Senior Coordinator
Elisa assists the Public Services Director in managing key legal service programs, including the Lawyer Referral Service, Elderly Pro Bono Program, and U.S. Armed Forces Legal Services Project. She coordinates client intake, facilitates case referrals, and supports volunteer attorneys, ensuring that clients, including seniors and military personnel, receive appropriate legal assistance. Additionally, she engages in community outreach, organizes legal clinics, tracks program statistics, and supports funding efforts to enhance access to justice.
Ana Dominguez – Lawyer Referral Services Coordinator
Ana manages the daily operations of the LRS program, ensuring individuals are connected with qualified legal professionals. She oversees client screening, case referrals, community outreach, and program administration while maintaining clear communication with the public and LRS panel members. With strong organizational and customer service skills, she ensures the program runs efficiently and effectively supports access to legal services.
John Ellis - Volunteer Lawyer Program Coordinator
John manages the Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP), which provides legal assistance to low-income individuals in need of representation. He recruits, engages, and supports volunteer attorneys, organizes training and CLE sessions, and coordinates case placements for clients in various legal areas. Additionally, he collaborates with community organizations, tracks program metrics, and ensures compliance with ethical guidelines.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year as President of the Bar and urge all our members to become active in Bar activities. This is your Bar Association, and it is only as good as we all make it. Volunteer to participate in the VLP program, become a mentor, plan and teach a CLE, volunteer to speak on Law Day and for law-related events—all of these options and more are available to our members; utilize them.
A final thought I’d like to share with all our members: remember when you were sworn in as an attorney and counselor before a Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, the final sentence of the oath: “…you will support the constitution and laws of this state and the constitution and laws of the United States.”[fn 1]
Endnotes
1 Rhode Island Supreme Court rules, Art 11, Rule 8.