To celebrate both their recent Warwick opening and their initial success, the Law Firm of Lonardo, Forte and Trudeau, LLC., will hold an Open House, to unveil their new office and to introduce themselves to the community.
This event will take place on Thursday, September 28, at 2890 West Shore Road, from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony co-hosted by the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, several local and state dignitaries will be on hand to offer their congratulations and support.
Additionally, the event will feature door prizes and 50/50 raffles, with the proceeds going to 2 area non-profit organizations. The money will benefit both CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate that helps children in need), and the Potters League Animal Rescue in Warwick.
One of the firm’s partners, Melina Trudeau, said that local businesses and families with legal and professional questions can rest easy knowing their issues will get resolved.
“We are here primarily as a resource for anyone facing a problem they cannot solve by themselves,” said Trudeau, who has been practicing law for nearly two decades. “Running a business can be stressful enough, without the added pressure of staying current on the laws being passed locally and federally. The partners are able to address any situation that arises.”
The law firm specializes in litigation, foreclosures, title/real estate, and advisory services. Their focus as attorneys is as counselors at law. They are more than simply delivering documents and providing advice. They look to build long and meaningful relationships with their clients, to help them build and grow.
Elizabeth “Liz” Lonardo, Mike Forte, and Melina Trudeau, joined forces in 2021, to start a new business and firm, with the goal of being a small business, designed to serve and help other small businesses. They are all native Rhode Islanders, who are committed to serving the state and communities, where they live and work.
Lonardo said that the trio works to find solutions, instead of creating more problems. That starts with being there when called upon by the client.
“We are available when they need another ‘pair of eyes’ that can appreciate how to plan both offensively and defensively in business,” she said.
Lonardo practices in both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts state and federal courts. She focuses on creditors’ rights and insolvency law. She represents banks, credit unions, and other lenders in foreclosures, bankruptcies, evictions, real estate title work, and other matters. She assists clients comply with state and federal rules and regulations.
Elizabeth is approved by the Rhode Island Superior Court to act as a court-appointed receiver and commissioner. She has served on the Local Rules Committee of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island since 2012, and has been identified as a “Rising Star” in the Super Lawyers Magazine (Rhode Island and Massachusetts) in 2015-2018 and 2020-2021, in the area of Creditors’ Rights. Elizabeth was an adjunct professor in the Paralegal Studies Program at Roger Williams University, teaching bankruptcy and torts.
Mike is known as a “problem solver.” Matters are typically referred to him because of the difficult, complicated and/or novel issue involved. Throughout his time practicing, Mike has represented both attorneys and judges, associated with malpractice and civil rights violations.
Mike has represented public officials, including mayors, board members, and police officers, accused of a myriad of alleged wrongs. Mike’s matters have included heavy media coverage and large class actions, with not only large dollar figures, but long-term political implications.
As a result of the recognition of his work, Mike has been appointed as a municipal court judge in Cranston and Tiverton, and served as legal counsel to the Rhode Island Senate. He has taught at Roger Williams University since 2012. In 2021, he was appointed to be an assistant professor of accounting and business law at Nichols College, in Dudley, MA.
Mike’s primary caseload involves business advisory and litigation of business disputes, appointments as a receiver by the Rhode Island Superior Court, appointments as an arbitrator or mediator, appellate litigation, and practice in constitutional and government law and real estate. Mike feels his varied practice matches his interests and skill sets.
Melina is an attorney licensed to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prior to founding Lonardo Forte & Trudeau, LLP, she was a partner with a preeminent defense firm, where she honed her trial skills. From that background, Melina discovered her passion for helping her small business clients and individual business owners make practical decisions regarding their legal needs. Her clients also include mental health providers, accountants, nurses, and other professionals in need of legal advice.
Besides her trial experience, Melina has served as an arbitrator and a mediator and has represented her clients at countless mediations and arbitrations.
With her business clients, Melina focuses on creating practices and procedures for her clients to negotiate contracts and leases, providing advice on day-to-day activities from a legal perspective, and resolving employment related disputes. She teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Roger Williams School of Justice studies in both the Undergraduate Paralegal Program and in the Master of Public Administration Program.
For more details about their upcoming event and services, please call their office during business hours at 401-542-4100.
