Rafael A. Ovalles, Esquire, (Rafael or Attorney Ovalles) was born in the Dominican Republic in 1964. Rafael's parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Providence, Rhode Island in 1974, when Rafael was 10 years old. Rafael is fully bi-lingual -English/ Spanish. Rafael attended Providence Public Schools, including Classical High School, where he was a standout (All State) track star. Rafael completed undergraduate studies at the University of Rhode Island, where he majored in American History and minored in Spanish; he graduated in 1986 in three years, Magna Cum Laude. He graduated with a law degree from Boston University School of Law, where he was elected President of the Hispanic-American Law Student Association.
In 1990, Rafael Ovalles began working in a private law office, and in June of 1991, he was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar.
Attorney Ovalles dedicated himself to general practice in the areas of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Commercial, Criminal Defense, Domestic Relations, Immigration, Landlord/ Tenant (Evictions, Eviction Defense, Leases, Subleases), Social Security (SSI or SSDI) and Workers’ Compensation Law.
In 1992, he established a law firm, and he continued to practice in the same areas of aforementioned law.
From March 2000 to June 2005, Attorney Ovalles served as a Bail Commissioner, with a special assignment to cover Central Falls and Pawtucket; and, while serving as a Bail Commissioner, he set bail on defendants and, in the process, substantially increased his experience in handling criminal matters.
Attorney Ovalles also served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Hill House Association and the [Dorcas] International Institute of Rhode Island.
Attorney Ovalles had a distinguished private law practice for over 14 years, when in January 2005, Governor Donald L. Carcieri nominated him to be an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island District Court. In July 2005, Rafael Ovalles was sworn-in and made history as the first Latino judge in the Rhode Island court system.
Judge Ovalles worked as a Judge on the State District Court for approximately 10 and one-half years, where he presided on the Civil, Criminal, Landlord/ Tenant, Mental Health, and Domestic Calendars; he also authored dozens of decisions in the areas of Tax, Traffic Violations and Unemployment Benefits Appeals.
In October 2017, Judge Ovalles submitted his notice of resignation and now, he continues to practice law in private practice. Whether as a State Judge or as an Attorney in private practice, Attorney Ovalles offers over 25 years of legal experience in counseling clients on legal matters, solving legal problems and crafting agreements for litigants and/ or clients.
Now, Attorney Ovalles dedicates himself to the general practice of law, specifically in the areas of Automobile Accidents, Bankruptcy, Commercial, Criminal Defense, Family, Immigration, Personal Injuries, Social Security, and Workers’ Compensation Law.