District Court Judge Jabour to step down; Rhode Island lawyer consents to being disbarred

PROVIDENCE – Yet another state court judge has announced her retirement.

District Court Judge Christine S. Jabour notified Gov. Dan McKee that she will step down Nov. 1 after 19 years on the state’s busiest bench.

“My employment as a judicial officer has been an incredible work experience, where I have grown both professionally and personally,” Jabour wrote, continuing, “During my tenure, I was fortunate to work with a dedicated and committed staff. My colleagues have been my mentors.”

She extended special thanks to District Court Chief Judge Jeanne E. LaFazia for her support and guidance.

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Then-Chief Judge Albert E. DeRobbio selected Jabour in 2003 to serve as a magistrate, a post in which she handled criminal, civil and small-claims calendars, domestic-assault protective orders, temporary restraining orders, and administrative appeals. In 2010, Gov. Donald Carcieri elevated her to the full bench to replace Stephen E. Erickson, who retired after 20 years as a District Court judge.

Before being named magistrate, Jabour served as chief of the consumer protection unit in the attorney general's office from 1993 to 1999, then as an assistant attorney general in the office's civil division through 2001. From 2001 through 2003, she advised the state judiciary as general counsel to the state Supreme Court.

“It has been a privilege to serve on this court. I hope I have made a positive contribution to the state,” Jabour said.

Jabour will receive an annual judicial pension of $129,243, according to Kara A. Picozzi, spokeswoman for the courts.

Two Rhode Island lawyers disciplined, one disbarred

In other matters, the state Supreme Court announced this week that Christopher Bijesse voluntarily consented to be disbarred from engaging in the practice of law.

According to the high court order, Bijesse acknowledged he is being investigated for professional misconduct.

Bijesse was employed as a lawyer with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families from July 19, 2020 through Sept. 7, 2022. DCYF had no involvement in the circumstances of his disbarment, according to spokeswoman Damaris Teixeira.

Bijesse did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment.

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The court also announced the suspension of Elizabeth Stone (Borges) from the practice of law.

According to that order, the high court’s Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition asking the court to order Stone to file an answer to a disciplinary complaint, after repeated requests went unanswered.

On Sept. 9, the Supreme Court entered an order reprimanding Stone for her failure to answer that complaint and directed her to respond within 10 days or face suspension.

“[Stone] has failed to file her answer and is in willful defiance of this court’s order,” the court said. As such, Stone is suspended from engaging in the practice of law in this state, effective immediately, and until further order of this court.

The grounds of the underlying complaint against Stone are confidential under rules that govern proceedings prior to a finding of probable cause, Picozzi said in an email.

Stone declined to comment on the matter.

Court rules dictate that only the order disbarring the lawyer be made public. Since neither Bijesse nor Stone went to a finding of probable cause, both complaints are confidential, Picozzi said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: District Court Judge Jabour retiring; Christopher Bijesse is disbarred