Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara

02/27/2026

Building the Bench

Black History Month invites us to remember trailblazing figures who changed the course of American law, and there is no shortage of such icons to honor. Equally important are the countless individuals whose names may never appear in history books, yet whose contributions made progress possible.

Black judges now hold seats at every level of the legal system across the country. But behind every one of those seats is a village of people who helped build the bench.

We aren’t all destined for black robes and gavels or landmark cases argued before packed courtrooms. But we all have a role to play in building and sustaining a more diverse and equitable legal system.

Progress is built through countless quiet acts of support. From the encouraging words of a high school football coach to the career advice of a professional mentor. From the sponsor, donor, and scholarship funder to the aunt who made sure the homework always got done.

Each person who chooses to take an interest, to open a door, or to invest time in someone else helps build the foundation for opportunity, piece by piece.

In my own life, from East Providence High School to Dartmouth College, Penn Law, and through more than 35 years practicing law; there have been relatives, coaches, teachers, colleagues, and community leaders who supported me, challenged me, and kept me moving forward.

I recognize and take seriously my own role in this village. My parents believed that education and service were pathways not just to personal success, but to a better society for all of us. I strive to uplift a diverse, talented team of attorneys, at our firm and across the profession, through mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy, and everyday acts of support. From corporate boardrooms to traffic tribunals, there are opportunities to make a positive impact wherever the law is practiced.

This Black History Month, we honor not only the historic firsts, but also the many individuals whose steady efforts made those milestones possible. May we carry their legacy with us as we continue the quiet work of building the bench.

Matthew A. Lopes Jr.
Managing Principal
Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara

02/25/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Bruce H. Tobey.

A graduate of Wesleyan University, Bruce went on to earn both his J.D. and MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. He also served four years in the United States Coast Guard as a legal officer before embarking on a long career devoted to public service and the law. Bruce served on the Gloucester Town Council and later became the longest-serving Mayor of Gloucester, before bringing decades of leadership and expertise in environmental, water, and public sector law to our firm and our clients. He took on complex community challenges with a collaborative spirit, always keeping the public good at the heart of his work.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bruce was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a generous mentor to those who had the privilege of working with him. He will be remembered for his integrity, intellect, and deep commitment to his community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Pat, his daughters, grandchildren, and the entire Tobey family. Bruce’s legacy of service and compassion will continue to inspire us.

View Bruce H. Tobey's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

02/04/2026

Rhode Island’s 2026 legislative session is shaping up to be a busy one. Keeping up with the onslaught of new bills can feel like shoveling your driveway while the snow is still coming down.

At PLDO Strategies, we’re your neighbor with a snowblower. We are closely monitoring State House developments and helping clients stay informed, engaged, and prepared.

Our latest newsletter breaks down what’s on the docket for state leaders this year: https://bit.ly/4aeFpkH

01/29/2026

PLDO partner Brian Lamoureux recently joined The Matt Allen Show on NewsTalk 99.7 & AM 630 WPRO to discuss the high-profile lawsuits involving social media platforms like Meta and YouTube.

“These lawsuits are focused on the design choices and business practices of social media platforms, and whether those practices contributed to harm…The legal theory is less about individual posts and more about the platforms’ underlying tactics and algorithms.”

🎧 Listen to the episode here:

PC Professor Brian Lamoureux joins the show to talk about the newest lawsuit against multiple social media companies

01/20/2026

How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Even if your resolutions already feel like a distant memory, the start of the year is still a great time to check in on your estate plan, fiduciary duties, and long-term goals (no treadmill required).

Read this month’s Legacy, Briefly newsletter to learn how you can flex your financial muscles in 2026 without breaking a sweat! https://bit.ly/3YuQKaR

01/08/2026

Is there a bag of old clothes sitting in the back of your closet? Be honest. A closet cleanout at the start of the year lets you take stock of what still fits, and keep the pieces that suit your life today. Like your wardrobe, your estate plan should be tailored to meet your needs and updated as those needs change.

In the latest edition of Legacy, Briefly our team outlines how you can start the year off strong as a trustee, planner, and steward of your future. https://bit.ly/3YuQKaR

12/08/2025

In the spirit of the season, the PLDO team is giving back and helping to build stronger communities from Rhode Island to Florida!

🤝 PLDO Partner Ben Rackliffe was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

🥧 Our Boca Raton team sold 28 pies in support of the Meals on Wheels ‘Pie it Forward’ campaign this month.

👟 To burn off all that pie, the Boca team ran in the Palm Beach Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, hosted by the United Way of Palm Beach County.

More in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/48EXHLb

11/07/2025

What Employers Need to Know!💡PLDO Partner Matthew C. Reeber spotlights several critical changes for Rhode Island and U.S. employers:

• Rhode Island has expanded its Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) to include menopause and menopause-related conditions as a protected class.

• The U.S. Department of Labor has issued updated guidance that impact how employers determine joint employment and classify independent contractors.

Stay ahead of compliance and mitigate risk with informed policy updates: https://bit.ly/4qH8sVw

11/05/2025

The City of Holyoke, MA is reimagining its wastewater, stormwater and flood-control systems to not only meet infrastructure needs, but to create clean-energy opportunities, operational savings and economic growth.

Our team at PLDO helped guide the procurement process, vendor selection and legal structuring of this high-performance, sustainable project. Read more on how this partnership came together: https://bit.ly/4opfZXw

11/04/2025

Congratulations to our client, the University of Rhode Island, for being ranked number one among New England public universities for the second year in a row! We commend President Marc Parlange and the entire URI community for their dedication, hard work and strategic vision.

More in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4nzSMjW

11/03/2025

State Law Resources connects clients with leading legal and government relations professionals across its network, ensuring consistent, high-quality service. We're proud to serve as the Rhode Island member.⚓

If you need a legal or government relations referral in another state, the District of Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the European Union, Matty Lopes and Brian Jordan would be happy to connect you.

More in our newsletter👉 https://bit.ly/4hyQwbm