Attorney General Neronha announces new Civil Division Chief
Kathryn Sabatini to lead Office’s civil legal efforts following upcoming departure of Miriam Weizenbaum
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that he will appoint Kathryn M. Sabatini to be the next Chief of the Office’s Civil Division. Ms. Sabatini, who currently serves as Executive Counsel and Chief of Policy to Attorney General Neronha, will succeed Miriam Weizenbaum who joined the Office in March 2020, following a successful career in private practice for nearly three decades. Chief Weizenbaum will remain in her position until April 1, 2024.
“Transitions are typically bittersweet, as this one certainly is. The leadership and experience that Miriam Weizenbaum brought to our Civil Division at a critical point in time was key to the significant outcomes my Office has achieved on behalf of the people of Rhode Island,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Over the last four years, it was Miriam I trusted to implement our Office’s expansion of affirmative work, getting out on offense for the public. We now have a Public Protection Bureau doing meaningful work in health care, consumer rights, environmental and climate, and civil and community rights, in ways that are new and impactful for Rhode Island. After years of hard work, I wish Miriam the best as she enjoys well deserved time with family.”
During Ms. Sabatini’s tenure as Executive Counsel and Chief of Policy, she has been instrumental in providing leadership on many key initiatives including the development and implementation of a statewide body-worn camera initiative, and the passage of key legislative priorities, including legislation to restore the intended scope of our consumer protection laws, and legislation to end childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island. She was also an integral part of the team that conducted the review of the Lifespan/CNE merger, and an integral part of the team that secured hundreds of millions of dollars in opioid settlements. She was the lead attorney in the Attorney General’s efforts to challenge the Purdue settlement and get a better deal for Rhode Island. She has also led the Attorney General’s efforts to overhaul our talent development and recruitment pipeline.
“I am fortunate to have strong leaders within the organization, like Kate, who has been with me since before day one and who I can rely on to advance the important and broad mission of this Office. Under Kate’s leadership of the Civil Division, I am confident that we will continue to deliver results for Rhode Islanders,” said Attorney General Neronha.
Before joining the Office, Ms. Sabatini worked for the City of Providence in a variety of capacities. Ms. Sabatini’s responsibilities included managing a portfolio of civil cases at both the trial and appellate level, leading the City’s open government efforts, serving as counsel to multiple boards and commissions, and advising and guiding a wide range of departments and officials. As the City’s Municipal Integrity Officer, she was responsible for the education, training, and guidance of municipal officials with respect to their ethical obligations.
Ms. Sabatini began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable William P. Robinson III of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island and later served as law clerk to the Honorable William E. Smith of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. She is a graduate of Middlebury College and earned her law degree summa cum laude from Boston College Law School.
