PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Bar Association has a new leader — officially.

At its annual meeting Friday, the association appointed Victoria M. Almeida its president. Almeida has led the organization since its former president, Richard A. Pacia, resigned in February.

Almeida is a shareholder at Adler Pollock & Sheehan in Providence, where she practices civil and criminal law. She has been vice chairwoman of the state Parole Board for two decades.

She holds a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and an undergraduate degree from Salve Regina University. She served as the law clerk for the late Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Paolino.

The other officers are president-elect Lise M. Iwon; treasurer William J. Delaney; and secretary Michael McElroy.

Also at the annual meeting, the association honored several Rhode Island lawyers and judges for their service.

Susan Leach DeBlasio received the Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism.

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Netti C. Vogel was honored with the Florence K. Murray Award, which goes to those who have influenced women to pursue legal careers, opened doors for women attorneys or advanced opportunities for women in the legal profession.

Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. was recognized with the 2009 Chief Justice Joseph R. Weisberger Judicial Excellence Award for his long service on the bench. Joseph A. Kelly will get the Joseph T. Houlihan Lifetime Mentor Award.

The Pro Bono Publico awards, which recognize lawyers who provide equal access to justice to the needy through the Volunteer Lawyer Program, went to Michael A. Devane, a partner at Devane & Devane, and Dawn M. Vigue Thurston, at Acorn Law. Malcolm Farmer III received the Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award for his volunteer work on behalf of Family Service of Rhode Island.

The Continuing Service Award was presented to Christine J. Engustian. Harris K. Weiner was the recipient of the Rhode Island Bar Journal Lauren E. Jones, Esq., Writing Award.

kmulvane@projo.com