The state panel that vets Rhode Island’s judicial nominees voted Tuesday night to advance five candidates for an open spot on the state Supreme Court.
The list of nominees sent by the Judicial Nominating Commission to Gov. Dan McKee includes former state House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who had been the subject of a court battle over whether a state ethics law bars him from seeking the post.
The commission opted to advance all five applicants, rather than winnow the field. The finalists include Shekarchi, Assistant Attorney General Christopher Bush, Family Court Judge Laureen D'Ambra, Superior Court Judge Luis Matos and lawyer John Roberts.
The vacancy on the state Supreme Court was created by the retirement in February of Maureen McKenna Goldberg, who had served nearly 30 years on the state’s top court. McKee now has 21 days to make a nomination, which will then be subject to confirmation by the state House and Senate.
Former House Speaker Shekarchi among names considered
Shekarchi faced questions about whether Rhode Island’s “revolving door” law, which generally requires legislators to wait one year outside of government before seeking an appointment, bars him from accepting a post on the state Supreme Court.
Shekarchi stepped down as speaker in May and remains an elected representative from Warwick.
In his interview with the vetting commission, Shekarchi faced questions about the $4.7 million campaign account he still has access to as well as criticism from good government groups over potential conflicts.
A complaint filed by former Roger Williams University Law School dean Michael Yelnosky argued that Shekarchi’s application to the Supreme Court posed an ethics violation. The state Ethics Commission voted to investigate the complaint, but Shekarchi short-circuited that process by taking the case to Superior Court.
Judge Richard Licht ruled Monday that Shekarchi can serve on the court if nominated and confirmed. The “revolving door” law should not apply to positions established by the state constitution, like the Supreme Court, Licht said.
The Ethics Commission can appeal Monday’s decision to the state Supreme Court. The commission’s executive director said he would review the decision.
Gov. McKee to consider five nominees
The Judicial Nominating Commission sent McKee five names to consider. In addition to Shekarchi, a land-use lawyer by trade, they include four others with legal experience.
Christopher R. Bush is a longtime state prosecutor in the AG’s office. Laureen D’Ambra served as state Child Advocate from 1989 until becoming a state Family Court judge in 2004. Luis Matos became a state Superior Court judge in 2012 after a nomination by Gov. Lincoln Chafee. John Roberts is a partner in the litigation department of Proskauer Rose LLP, a Boston-based law firm, and co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice group.
Ian Donnis contributed to this story. Material from previous Ocean State Media coverage was also used in this story.
