Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg reflects on 35 years on Rhode Island’s high court

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Judge Maureen McKenna Goldberg walks into the Rhode Island Supreme court with reverence even after serving 35 years in the court building on the East Side. Goldberg points to a statue in back and tells the story.

“There is lady justice up there. She is really the guidepost for us all. Justice is blind, even and the sword for enforcement,” she said.

Thirty five years on the bench and one of only three women to ever serve the high court. Goldberg’s office said she is the second-longest serving justice in state history. She’s served under seven governors and three chief justices.

Goldberg is the queen of the court and a trailblazer. She attended St. Mary’s Academy Bay View, Providence College and Suffolk Law school in Boston.

Judge Maureen McKenna Goldberg spoke with NBC 10’s Dan Jaehnig. (WJAR)

Goldberg served as the only women on the court for span of 20 years, and in a male-dominated world, she quickly earned her reputation.

“I remember I had a witness in the grand jury, and we took a break and he came out and said ‘if you were a man I’d punch you in the mouth.’ I said go ahead. And there was a couple of state troopers there and they immediately went to headquarters and reported it,” she said.

The photo behind her desk is of famed State Police Col. Stone. Both friends and tough cookies. Goldberg was known as a fierce prosecutor before she put on the robe. She prosecuted big cases from the mob to Buddy Cianci’s attack on a man he thought his then wife was having an affair with.

“He was a very difficult case. You know he committed a serious crime and he’s lucky he didn’t go to jail for it,” said Goldberg.

She has a love for the law, is studied, and passionate about the Bill of Rights. Goldberg revealed for the first time the Rhode Island law she would like to see changed.

“Well, I don’t think the mandatory consecutive life sentences for a gun crime, where the judges have no discretion but to impose that. Where there is a homicide committee with a firearm and a conviction for a murder, mandatory life sentence,” said Goldberg.

She is known for her tough sharp questioning of lawyers before the court. Goldberg said she got that toughness from growing up in a family of seven.

Born in Pawtucket, she grew up in East Providence in an Irish Catholic family with strong parents where dinners at the table and education were a priority. Goldberg said her father was tough in teaching her to stand up for herself.

“Honesty, integrity and character were the most important aspects of his life. And he was an alcoholic. A prominent member, to the extent you can be prominent of alcoholics anonymous for 45 years. He was a wonderful father and my mother was too. We had a wonderful home life,” she said.

Goldberg has been married to her husband Robert for 45 years. He is a prominent attorney and Republican lawyer which forced her to recuse herself in some cases.

They are career-driven and met in Matunuck in a typical Rhode Island story. Her aunt worked for his father, who also became a judge.

“I’m lucky very lucky and I think he’s lucky too,” she said.

When Goldberg is not whipping up a veal dish or reading a Robert Gresham novel, the two are avid boaters.

“We spent a lot of time on block island and sailing waters of New England,” she said.

No surprise, her favorite movie is “The Godfather,” and their favorite restaurant is a toss-up between 22 Bowens in Newport or the University Club which she is a member of.

She has a good sense of humor and a contagious smile and when you ask her about her legacy.

“I’ve always said to family and friends and everybody else. Make sure you remember me as a good sport, but I’d like them to know I tried my best,” said Goldberg.

In retirement, she still has court responsibilities, but she is not finishing up cases she will be on the boat or spending time with her 13 nieces and nephews who she is close to.