Embracing the Road to Success: Steven Colantuono’s Varied Career

As the chief legal counsel of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Steven Colantuono L’03 is helping to lead the organization through the high-profile development of its new mixed-use transit hub. 

Prior to becoming the head lawyer for a state agency, Colantuono worked in small firm and solo private practice as well as for nonprofit organizations in the disability space. Throughout his career, Colantuono has been willing to take chances and change course, while always pursuing excellence no matter what the setting.

Nonprofit leader-turned-lawyer

Colantuono started his career as an aid in a facility for adults with mental disabilities. By the time he began to seriously consider law school, he was in a stable position as a clinical director and was eyeing CEO jobs. He didn’t think he would end up practicing law, “but a law degree couldn’t hurt me, it could only help me.”

When he made his first deposit to RWU Law, Colantuono had three children. Shortly later, he learned a fourth was on the way. He was working a full-time job that he enjoyed and taking classes in the evening. He was part of a supportive group of classmates with similar obligations and professors with a wealth of experience. Though he has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology, he calls law school “by far my most enjoyable educational experience.”

After law school, Colantuono continued to work in clinical behavioral settings while also practicing law part-time. Eventually, he began his own law practice.

While legal work required a different perspective from his work with disability-focused organizations, Colantuono says his skills in leading and supervising have served him no matter what the job description.

“I did a lot of leadership type work in my prior career. I supervised people. I also worked in pretty challenging situations that you couldn’t get riled up,” Colantuono says, “so it takes a lot to frustrate me.”

A new road

Around six years ago, Colantuono learned that RIPTA was looking for a new legal counsel. The agency was particularly interested in someone with disability law experience, a natural fit. Once again, he decided to take the leap.

A typical day at RIPTA begins with leadership meetings, followed by substantive legal work. He often ends his days in the late afternoon with phone calls, a holdout from the days in private practice when he was in court most mornings.

 

Colantuono enjoys the variety of his work at RIPTA. For example, the new transit hub project involves everything from procurement to public relations. “It’s presented a number of challenges for us, but also opportunities,” he remarks.

Reflecting on his career trajectory and current job, he says, “The fun thing for me about work now is it touches on almost everything.” 

While his jobs have varied, Colantuono says, “To me, the common thread is working well with other people. Understand that you have goals to achieve, they have goals to achieve. … There’s an aspect to every job that you do, where you really just want to do the best job that you can do.”