Lisette Gomes

EAST PROVIDENCE — Mayor-Elect Bob DaSilva made public his first appointment to a significant position by naming Lisette M. Gomes as Municipal Court judge.

Ms. Gomes, a resident of the city, replaces George Furtado, who did not seek reappointment to the post. Judge Furtado is expected to help Ms. Gomes in her transition to the role.

As Municipal Court judge, Ms. Gomes will oversee cases involving minimum housing violations, ordinance violations and traffic infractions.

“East Providence needs a judge who can handle the city’s busy Municipal Court, which last year processed more than 5,000 cases,” Mr. DaSilva said in a press release announcing his choice of Ms. Gomes. “An accomplished solicitor, Gomes’ knowledge of the law, years of experience in municipal court litigation and her strong interpersonal skills will be an asset to our community.”

The appointment of Ms. Gomes is subject to approval of the incoming City Council, which along with Mr. DaSilva, will be seated during inauguration ceremonies January 8. The council is expected to take up the matter the same evening.

Ms. Gomes currently serves as the City of Pawtucket’s assistant solicitor where, since 2015, she prosecutes criminal violations, defends the city against civil claims and assists with labor arbitration. She also currently serves as Central Falls’ housing prosecutor, where, since 2013, she oversees housing code violations.

Ms. Gomes launched her own practice in 2012 to focus on personal injury, landlord-tenant and criminal defense matters.

A resident of East Providence since 2013, Ms. Gomes’ family immigrated to the United States from Cabo Verde in the late 1970s. She is fluent in Creole and conversational in Portuguese and Spanish. Ms. Gomes earned her Juris Doctorate in law from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Salve Regina University.