Carcieri Names Suttell Chief Justice

Governor Donald L. Carcieri, expected in some corners to name Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg the next chief justice, has instead named Justice Paul A. Suttell to the post. This just in from the governor's office:

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced that he has nominated Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell to be the next Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.  The nomination requires the confirmation of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate.  Justice Suttell will fill the vacancy that was created by the retirement of Chief Justice Frank Williams. 

"Justice Suttell brings a wealth of judicial and scholarly experience to the position of Chief Justice," said Governor Carcieri.  "He has served the public with the highest honor and distinction, first as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and later as a Family Court Judge and Supreme Court Justice.  He is a dedicated and conscientious jurist, whose understanding of the law and ability to lead will serve him well as Chief Justice."

Prior to being named to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in July 2003, Justice Suttell served as an Associate Justice on the Rhode Island Family Court, from July 1990, and served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.   Suttell started his legal career as a practicing attorney at the law offices of Beals & DiFiore and Crowe, Chester & Adams, and was legal counsel to the Rhode Island House Minority Leader. 

Justice Suttell is a member of the American, Rhode Island and Newport County Bar Associations, as well as a judicial member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.  Active in the Rhode Island community, Justice Suttell has served on a number of non-profit boards and associations, including director and past president of the Little Compton Historical Society and Sakonnet Preservation Association, former director for the Rhode Island Lung Association, former member of the Rhode Island Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, as well as serving as moderator, youth group advisor and past chair of the board of deacons and trustees for the United Congregational Church of Little Compton.

Justice Suttell received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University (1971) and his Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School (1976).  Justice Suttell and his wife Mary reside in Little Compton. 

Governor Carcieri acknowledged and thanked the other candidates for Chief Justice. "All of the candidates for Chief Justice are exemplary jurists, and I extend my continued appreciation and gratitude to each of them for their service to uphold the rule of law and assure justice for the people of Rhode Island."