PROVIDENCE — Secretary of State Gregg Amore announced fellow East Providence resident Jennifer Griffith has joined the Rhode Island Department of State as lead legal counsel.

“We are honored to have Jennifer join our team as Legal Counsel for the Rhode Island Department of State,” said Amore, who served as the state representative for District 65 in East Providence for 10 years before being elected as Secretary of State at the November 2022 election.

He added, “Her immense experience in state government and the legal system will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to strengthen our democracy, improve our elections systems, and increase civic education.”

Griffith most recently served as the State of Rhode Island’s Child Advocate, having been appointed in 2016 by former Governor Gina Raimondo. In that role, Griffith conducted many investigations resulting in improved safety of children in state care and the child welfare system in Rhode Island, including significant changes to the practices of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families. Under her leadership, the Office of the Child Advocate doubled its staff and budget.

Before being appointed as Child Advocate, Griffith served as a staff attorney for Rhode Island Legal Services for 10 years, representing low-income clients in all family court matters.

Griffith is a member of the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association and the Rhode Island Bench/Bar Committee, and serves on the Executive Board of the Edward P. Gallogly American Inn of Court.

In city, Griffith has served on the East Providence Waterfront Commission since 2019.

Griffith, who resides in Kent Heights neighborhood, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and the United States Federal District Court of Rhode Island.