PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on Friday nominated District Court Associate Judge Debra Saunders to be the court's chief judge and named two nominees to the Superior Court, his office said.

The nominations will go to the Rhode Island Senate for its advice and consent.

Saunders would replace Chief Judge Jeanne LaFazia, who is retiring. Saunders was appointed to the District Court in 2023, where she presides over criminal trials, arraignments, bail hearings and sentencings, according to the governor's office. Before that, she spent 15 years as clerk of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and earlier worked as a special assistant attorney general and in private practice.

Denise Cassisi Finkelman, a Family Court magistrate since 2021 who handles custody, child support and contested divorce cases, was nominated as an associate justice of the Superior Court. She previously ran her own law practice and is a past president of the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association. The governor's office said she would fill the vacancy created by Justice Joseph A. Montalbano's appointment to the Superior Court.

Carly B. Iafrate, a lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in employment litigation and labor matters, was also nominated as a Superior Court associate justice. She runs her own law office, served nearly 20 years on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Board of Bar Examiners and once clerked for former Chief Justice Frank Williams, according to the release. She would succeed Judge Jeffrey Lanphear, who is retiring.

McKee said the nominees "have demonstrated strong character, sound judgment, and the highest integrity."

"I look forward to the confirmation process," Iafrate said.

McKee lost the September Democratic primary to Helena Foulkes, who won the governor's race Tuesday, defeating independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian, The Signal reported.

Earlier coverage: Helena Foulkes elected Rhode Island governor, defeating Ken Block and Aaron Guckian

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