Michael Forte
Professor Forte’s interests lie at the intersection of business and the law. He was an active litigator for over a decade before coming to Nichols having represented lawyers, judges, public officials, labor unions, businesses, and individuals. His cases have involved major public pension and healthcare cases, municipal bankruptcy, corporate insolvencies, complex class action civil rights cases, and a myriad of other cases both large and small. Due to his recognized expertise, Professor Forte is regularly appointed as a receiver, arbitrator, mediator by individual parties and the courts to take charge of businesses and help resolve disputes. He has also served as a municipal court judge, a bail commissioner/justice of the peace, legal counsel to the Rhode Island State Senate and a chair of a municipal budget committee. Professor Forte uses his experience in law, government and business to make theoretical topics in the law, accounting and tax more practical and understandable. He has served as co-faculty advisor to the Negotiation Team.
Education
- University of Rhode Island, Doctor of Business Administration (Candidate - 2023)
- Suffolk University Law School, Juris Doctor
- Suffolk University, Master of Business Administration (Taxation)
- Providence College, Bachelor of Science (Accountancy)
Industry Experience
- Lonardo Forte & Trudeau, LLP – Warwick, RI – Founding Partner
- Olenn & Penza, LLP – Warwick, RI – Former Partner
- Rhode Island Senate Committee on Finance, Legal Counsel
- Senior Associate Judge of the Cranston Municipal Court
- Bail Commissioner/Justice of the Peace for the Rhode Island District Court
Certificates & Licenses
- Admitted to the Bar: Massachusetts & Rhode Island state and federal courts, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Supreme Court of the United States
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
