CRMC mourns passing of former Legal Counsel Alan J. Goldman

January 6, 2015, WAKEFIELD – The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is mourning the recent loss of its former and first legal counsel, Alan J. Goldman, who served the Council at its inception in 1971 until recent years, and was instrumental in getting the state’s coastal program adopted, and wrote the majority of the CRMC’s enabling legislation.

Goldman, 80, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. A 1952 graduate of LaSalle Academy, an Eagle Scout, and 1956 graduate of Colgate University, Goldman graduated from Boston College School of Law in 1966 and was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar, after which he founded the law firm of Goldman & Biafore.

During his long and distinguished career, he served as Executive Counsel to Governor Frank Licht, East Providence Democratic Party Chairman, Special Counsel to the General Assembly Joint Committee on Legislative Affairs, and the United States Supreme Court, in addition to his post at CRMC. During his tenure serving Licht, Goldman wrote the enabling legislation for the Council, and then became legal counsel soon after the CRMC’s inception.

As a testament to his legal expertise, Goldman helped craft the Rhode Island Coastal Zone Management Act, a year before the federal act was adopted; much of the language in the federal act mirrors Rhode Island’s.

Goldman served in some capacity as legal counsel as recently as 2012, advising the CRMC’s current counsel, Brian A. Goldman, on certain issues and cases.

“He represented the Council during many of its challenges, including the constitutionality (challenge) of the Council and some landmark takings cases,” said CRMC Executive Director Grover Fugate, who has held his post at CRMC since 1986. “Alan was a real presence on the Council, especially during its formative years.”