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Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo this week hosted official swearing-in ceremonies for a new chief judge and an associate judge of the state Workers’ Compensation Court.
Judge Robert Ferrieri is the new chief judge of the court. He will replace the outgoing Chief Judge George E. Healy, who retired last July after 25 years of service.
Judge Ferrieri has served on the Workers’ Compensation Court since 2008. During his tenure, he has taken time to educate high school students about working safely and to speak to other attorneys about workers’ compensation issues. Previously he was a partner at Lombardi & Ferrieri, P.C. He is also an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University and the Community College of Rhode Island.
Michael J. Feeney is the new associate justice. Feeney has been a practicing attorney since 1988, most recently as a partner at Jeffrey & Feeney Attorneys at Law in Warwick. He also previously served as the assistant town solicitor in East Greenwich and participates in the Superior Court Pilot Program, which provides legal services to indigent defendants in criminal cases.
Feeney will replace former Judge Bruce Q. Morin.
Raimondo noted that Healy joined the court when it was first created in 1991, when the workers’ compensation system was near collapse. “Over the years, he helped to lead reforms that reduced average claim costs without cutting benefits. Thanks to his service, the court can more effectively and more efficiently serve Rhode Island workers who are injured on the job. I wish him all the best in retirement,” she said.
Workers’ Compensation Court has jurisdiction over employers and employees relative to work-related injuries and resolves disputes regarding workers’ compensation. It is comprised of one chief judge and nine associate judges.