Rhode Island Bar Journal Rhode Island Bar Association Volume 68
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Rhode Island Bar Journal Rhode Island Bar Association Volume 68. Number 1. July/August 2019 Rhode Island Bar Association Officers Bar Annual and Committee Reports Bar Awards and Annual Meeting In the (O)Zone: New Tax Program Guides Investor Capital to Areas of Need Articles 9 In the (O)Zone: New Tax Program Guides Investor Capital to Areas of Need Matthew R. Joyce, Esq. Editor In Chief, Nicole J. Benjamin, Esq. Editor, Kathleen M. Bridge 15 Lunch with Legends: Trailblazers, Trendsetters and Treasures of the Editorial Board Victoria M. Almeida, Esq. Rhode Island Bar Jerry Cohen, Esq. Stephen Adams, Esq. and Jenna Pingitore, Esq. Kayla E. Coogan O’Rourke, Esq. Eric D. Correira, Esq. James D. Cullen, Esq. William J. Delaney, Esq. Thomas M. Dickinson, Esq. Nicole P. Dyszlewski, Esq. Matthew Louis Fabisch, Esq. Keith D. Hoffmann, Esq. Meghan L. Hopkins, Esq. Matthew J. Landry, Esq. Christopher J. Menihan, Esq. Lenore Marie Montanaro, Esq. Daniel J. Procaccini, Esq. Matthew David Provencher, Esq. Steven M. Richard, Esq. Joshua G. Simon, Esq. Angelo R. Simone, Esq. Stephen A. Smith, Esq. Hon. Brian P. Stern FEATURES Elizabeth Stone Esq. 3 The Heart of the Profession 22 2019 Rhode Island Bar Association Honorary RHODE ISLAND BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER’S PLEDGE 4 Retired Chief Justice Presents Seminar Members As a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, on How to Win at Mediation 23 2019 Hon. Francis J. Darigan, Jr. Rhode Island I pledge to conduct myself in a manner that will reflect honor upon the legal profession. I will treat 4 Generate Business With the Bar’s Law Day Essay Contest all partici pants in the legal process with civility. Lawyer Referral Service! 24 Rhode Island Law Day 2019 – In every aspect of my practice, I will be honest, 5 New Rhode Island Bar Association President Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society courteous and fair. and 2019-2020 Executive Officers 26 VLP Honor Roll Association Officers 7 Rhode Island Bar Association AR1 2018-2019 Annual Report David N. Bazar, President 2019-2020 Officers’ Profiles Richard P. D’Addario, President-Elect 28 RI Bar Foundation 2019 Annual Meeting Lynda L. Laing, Treasurer 14 CLE Program Reviews Social Media 30 Annual Meeting Mark B. Morse, Secretary Considerations 37 Congratulations to our Volunteer Lawyer Executive Director 17 2019 Chief Justice Joseph R. Weisberger Program Raffle Winner Steven A. Robinson Helen Desmond McDonald Judicial Excellence Award of Cranston! Direct advertising inquiries to the Editor, Kathleen M. Bridge, Rhode Island Bar Journal, 41 Sharpe 17 Sign Up For Your 2019-2020 Bar Committee 38 SOLACE Drive, Cranston, RI 02920, (401) 421-5740. Membership Today! 39 Lawyers on the Move USPS (464-680)ISSN 1079-9230 18 2017 Joseph T. Houlihan Lifetime Mentor Award Rhode Island Bar Journal is published bimonthly 41 In Memoriam by the Rhode Island Bar Association, 19 2019 Award of Merit 41 Sharpe Drive, Cranston, RI 02920. 41 Memoriam 2018-2019 20 2019 Dorothy Lohmann Community Service PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT PROVIDENCE, RI 42 Cartoon Award Subscription: $30 per year 42 Casemaker Tip: The Annotator Tab 20 Rhode Island Bar Journal Lauren E. Jones Postmaster Writing Award 42 Advertiser Index Send Address Correction to: Rhode Island Bar Journal 21 2019 Volunteer Lawyer Program Pro Bono 41 Sharpe Drive Publico Award Recipients Cranston, RI 02920 www.ribar.com Front Cover Photograph by Brian McDonald Rhode Island Bar Association Office Crook Point Bascule Bridge, Providence, RI The Crook Point Summer Hours Bascule Bridge spans the Seekonk River, connecting the city of Monday, June 24th through Friday, August 30th Providence to the city of East Providence. It was built in 1908 as Monday – Friday part of the East Side Railroad Tunnel project, providing a direct connection to the old Union Station on the New York, New Haven, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Hartford Railroad line. The Heart of the Profession Why are bar associations critical to society? The But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; messages of the presidents who precede me echo we correct mistakes; we take up other [folk’s] many of the thoughts running through my mind burdens and by our efforts we make possible the about our future. Among them: the importance peaceful life of [individuals] in a peaceful state.” of the Bar Association and the honor of being a As lawyers, we are often too involved in the lawyer. I want to take the opportunity in this first process to see the effect of what we do as a whole. message to address the second topic. In 2017 my family suffered a near tragedy. The Mark Mandell wrote, “To me, the practice of case resulted in a trial in New York this past win- law is a sacred trust. Representing people who are ter. In some ways, it was like being in an episode hurt, powerless, and in need reposes in each of us of Law and Order. The state was represented very significant responsibilities. By trusting us to by two very able and dedicated assistant district David N. Bazar, Esq. represent them, our clients have presented us with attorneys. The defendant was represented by a President the highest of compliments – and the greatest of court-appointed attorney. It was very difficult for Rhode Island Bar Association duties. Practiced wisely and fairly, we as lawyers my family, at times, to view this drama play out, are given the privilege of experiencing the power- but I was able to get through the ordeal by trying ful feelings of pride in one’s life work and the to watch the process in a dispassionate manner satisfaction which occurs in the presence and observing everyone in their different roles. May we set an example for of Justice – win or lose.” He’s right. Each Everyone from the judge to the court personnel client and every case we handle is impor- played an important role in this drama. In the end, others that society is best tant. However, even more significant than this case validated all of the important aspects of served by people listening the individual cases we handle is the fact lawyers serving justice and why we do what we do. to each other, and being that we help to maintain the integrity of In playing our role in this process, we should compassionate and our legal system and the rule of law. always do so with civility. As lawyers, it is our I recently heard a fable that former ethical duty to zealously represent our clients, thoughtful. Attorney General Robert Jackson told to however, this does not require us to act without emphasize the role of lawyers in preserving liberty. graciousness. Rhode Island is a small state; acting It is about three stonecutters asked to describe with courtesy to our clients, other lawyers and their work. The first stonecutter focuses on how the judiciary is not only the right thing to do, it the job benefits him. He says, “I am earning a liv- is a requirement. May we set an example for ing.” The second narrowly describes his personal others that society is best served by people listen- role: “I am cutting stone.” The third man exhibits ing to each other, and being compassionate and a different perspective. His face lights up as he thoughtful. explains what the work means to others: “I am In Lauren Jones’ first President’s Message, he helping to build a cathedral.” As lawyers, we help wrote that many presidents use the first message to preserve the foundation on which our society to outline their goals for the year. He went on to is built. say that he hoped it would be a quiet year and that The law is the barrier that stands between the Bar Association was well run and in a good democracy and anarchy. Faith in our laws and place. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I couldn’t agree our courts is the basis for commercial transac- more. Lauren went on to state that he had no par - tions, keeping people free from governmental ticular agenda but rather one simple goal: “to con- interference and providing an avenue to resolve tinue the positive and effective efforts of those who differences through a peaceful, logical process. have preceded me, and to leave the Association John W. Davis, in an address to the Association in as good or better shape than when I came in.” of the Bar of the City of New York in 1946, said, I urge all of our members to consider taking an “True, we build no bridges. We raise no towers. active role in this endeavor. While we as lawyers, We construct no engines. We paint no pictures – individually help construct the “cathedral” of jus- unless as amateurs for our own amusement. There tice, our work is most effectively done collectively is little of all we do which the eye of man can see. through the Bar Association. ◊ Rhode Island Bar Journal July/August 2019 3 Rhode Island Bar Journal Editorial Statement The Rhode Island Bar Journal is the Rhode Island Retired Chief Justice Presents Seminar Bar Association’s official magazine for Rhode Island attorneys, judges and others interested in Rhode on How to Win at Mediation Island law. The Bar Journal is a paid, subscription magazine published bi-monthly, six times annually and sent to, among others, all practicing attorneys and sitting judges, in Rhode Island. This constitutes an audience of over 6,000 individuals. Covering issues of relevance and pro viding updates on events, programs and meetings, the Rhode Island Bar Journal is a magazine that is read on arrival and, most often, kept for future reference.