William C. Maaia

EAST PROVIDENCE — Noted local attorney William C. Maaia last week was sworn in by Mayor Bob DaSilva as the Associate Municipal Court judge for the city.

Mr. Maaia will oversee cases involving minimum housing violations, violation of city ordinances and Rhode Island traffic code infractions. Mr. Maaia will also oversee cases when Municipal Court Judge Lizette Gomes is not available to preside.

“Associate Judge Maaia has been an integral part of this community both as bail commissioner for the City of East Providence and chair of the East Providence School Committee,” Mayor DaSilva said. “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Maaia, who has decades of legal expertise and knowledge of our community to our team.”

Mr. Maaia’s appointment was approved by the City Council at its July 7 meeting. His nomination was presented for the body’s consideration by director of administration Napolean Gonsalves.

Mr. Gonsavles called Mr. Maaia a “very accomplished” lawyer, noting he has been practicing law since 1978 and is a life-long resident of the city.

Mr. Maaia is the founding partner of the Law Offices of William C. Maaia & Associates where he provides legal services in business, family, health, labor, contract, probate, real estate and criminal law. The practice has been in operation since 1982.

In addition, Mr. Maaia also served as a bail commissioner where he established bail and released individuals charged with criminal matters by local police.

Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Maaia was appointed as special counsel to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. He served as legal counsel to the Massachusetts Chauffers and Teamsters Health Fund Local. He also served as legal counsel to the Municipal Water Supply Board and Full Channel TV.

Mr. Maaia served as Special Assistant Attorney general with the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General’s Public Protection Division. He also served as Consumer Advocate and Litigator under Rhode Island Attorney General Dennis J. Roberts.

A resident of East Providence, Maaia chaired the East Providence School Committee and served on the Rhode Island Board of Education.

Mr. Maaia earned his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from Providence College. He also earned his Special Program on Negotiations, Negotiations for Senior Executives certificate and Collective Bargaining Certification from Rutgers University.

“It has been a great honor to dedicate my career to public service and the pursuit of justice,” said Mr. Maaia. “I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of this city from the bench.”

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