Five Questions With: Sheri L. Pizzi

Sheri L. Pizzi is president of the Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island and a partner in the Providence office of Barton Gilman LLP.
Sheri L. Pizzi is president of the Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island and a partner in the Providence office of Barton Gilman LLP.

Sheri L. Pizzi become president of the Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island in September 2015 for a two-year term. She has been a member of the society for 18 years and has served on its board of directors for more than a decade. During that time, she also served as the secretary for multiple terms, and on the scholarship committee and events committee. She also has served on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association, the Rhode Island Healthcare Association and the Rhode Island Childhood Lead Action Project. She is a partner in the Providence office of Barton Gilman LLP, working as a trial attorney in the fields of health care, employment and other forms of professional liability litigation. Here, she describes the value of and challenges to the nonprofit.

PBN: Who are today’s Justinians and how does your organization support them?
PIZZI:
The members of the Justinian Law Society are men and women who share a common heritage and are drawn together professionally to promote charitable, educational and professional causes. The JLS provides a forum to its members to uphold the image of Italian-Americans, improve the administration of justice, to undertake pro bono activities, to conduct workshops, seminars, lectures, and other educational events; to generally promote the interchange of ideas and to encourage the cooperation amongst member attorneys as to all matters concerning the legal profession.

PBN: Why and how do you focus on the Italian-Americans in Rhode Island?
PIZZI:
In addition to our continuing legal education series, the JLS supports the advancement of qualified and distinguished Justinians in public office, and serves the Italian-American legal profession and the community. JLS strives to uphold a positive image and take action against negative stereotyping against Italian-Americans.
We also endeavor to educate individuals on the laws of the United States and Rhode Island; the history, culture and accomplishments of Americans of Italian heritage; and to highlight the contributions of the Justinian Code to the world’s history and law. For example, the Justinians have sponsored lectures by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Judge Edward Re of the International Appeals Court and other notables.
The Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island has also served the Italian-American community in Rhode Island by engaging in many pro bono activities. JLS lawyers have participated in giving free advice to seniors; we have also published legal articles in Italian to assist the elderly; and we have contributed to the Rhode Island teachers of Italian.

PBN: As an all-volunteer organization, what are your greatest challenges in staying intact?
PIZZI:
One of the greatest challenges for JLS, as with so many organizations, is that our members are pulled in many directions and we are competing for their time. For many members, our professional demands and pressures often make it hard for us to stay connected with our Italian-American heritage and our extended families. JLS gives members an opportunity to connect with their heritage and traditions while in their professional lives.
We keep our work and events well-targeted. And with over 30 board members and over 100 members, we operate as a big family with the full membership stepping up to help meet our shared goals, whether it is a sold-out annual bocce tournament to raise money for our scholarship program or a continuing legal education seminar of interest to members of the bar.
What I love about this organization is its vibrancy and that its roots are in our members’ pride of heritage.

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PBN: Tell us about your scholarship program and how you fundraise for it.
PIZZI:
We have a law student chapter at Roger Williams University Law School, where we have a $25,000 scholarship endowment fund administered by the university. The JLS scholarships are awarded to law students who are interested in supporting the society’s mission. Proceeds from JLS events, such as our annual bocce tournament and Christmas party, fund the scholarships. In 2016, we are sponsoring Italian cooking classes, with a goal of increasing proceeds for the fund.

PBN: What are your top priorities for 2016?
PIZZI:
In 2016, we are rolling out an initiative to use social media and technology as a platform to stay better connected, further promote the JLS mission and to attract new, diverse members. In addition, we hope to increase our scholarship fund and sponsor new cultural events to promote Italian-American heritage while continuing to educate members.

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