Paul A. Suttell at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Rhode Island · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Paul A. Suttell
Chief Justice · Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Biography
Professional career
- 2009–present: Appointed Chief Justice, replacing Frank J. Williams
- Paul Allyn Suttell is described as the 40th Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court since July 16, 2009, succeeding Frank J. Williams
- Judge, Supreme Court of Rhode Island, 2003-present
- 2003–2009: Appointed by Governor Donald Carcieri as Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Paul A. Suttell became Rhode Island chief justice on July 16, 2009, after joining the Supreme Court on July 9, 2003.
- Governor Edward DiPrete appointed him to Family Court in 1990, and there he served thirteen years, and Governor Donald Carcieri appointed him Supreme Court associate justice in 2003.
- Began practice at Crowe, Chester & Adams in Pawtucket, then Beals & DiFiore in Providence (1978–1990)
- Began his legal career with Crowe, Chester & Adams in Pawtucket, later as an associate at Beals & DiFiore in Providence (1978–1990)
- As Chief Justice, Suttell leads the Rhode Island Supreme Court, which has life tenure for its justices
Education
- JD — Suffolk University Law School — 1976 — Suffolk University Law School, JD, 1976; bio-7e9242a3cf62; user_supplied_research
- Suffolk University J.D. in 1976.
- Suttell graduated from the Moses Brown School in Providence, then obtained a B.A. from Northwestern University in 1971
- BA — Northwestern University — 1971 — Northwestern University, BA, 1971; bio-7e9242a3cf62; user_supplied_research
- He attended Moses Brown School, obtained a Northwestern University B.A. in 1971
Additional information
- He previously served on Family Court from 1990 to 2003 and in the state House of Representatives.
- legis, 2002-2002
- Rhode Island state representative, 1982–1990.
- Between 1982 and 1990, Suttell was a Republican member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
- House minority leader counsel (1979–1982), elected to the Rhode Island House in 1982 and served through 1990
- In 1988, he was elected to the Republican National Convention
- Born January 10, 1949, Providence, Rhode Island.
- Date of birth: 1949-01-10
- representing Little Compton and portions of Tiverton and Portsmouth; deputy minority leader from his second term.
- Committee service included Judiciary, Corporations, Special Legislation, Environment and Arts, Agricultural Land Preservation and Lottery Commission.
- Before his judicial service, he practiced with Crowe, Chester & Adams and Beals & DiFiore.
- Community service included Little Compton Historical Society and Sakonnet Preservation Association presidencies and Little Compton United Congregational Church leadership.
- representing Little Compton and parts of Tiverton and Portsmouth.
- He served on committees on Judiciary, Corporations, Special Legislation, and other joint committees, and was Deputy Minority Leader in his second term.
- He is a resident of Little Compton, RI, and active in local organizations such as the Little Compton Historical Society and Sakonnet Preservation Association
- His degrees are from Northwestern University and Suffolk University Law School.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cell Phone Use
Courtwide
Rhode Island Supreme Court courthouse rules prohibit cellular telephone use in courtrooms and prohibit cell-phone camera and video use in the courthouse.
Cellular telephone use is strictly prohibited in the courtrooms. Cellular telephone camera and video is strictly prohibited in the courthouse.Supreme Court Courthouse Rules ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Courtwide
Rhode Island courthouse rules list photographic and audio-visual equipment, including cameras and audio or video recorders, as prohibited items.
No photographic or audio-visual equipment of any type, including cameras, video, or audio recorders or players.Supreme Court Courthouse Rules ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Rhode Island Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Rhode Island Judiciary official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Calendars and Public Access to Court Hearings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Calendars and Public Access to Court Hearings ↗Supreme Court Courthouse Rules
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court Courthouse Rules ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Supreme Court Courthouse Rules, revised February 2024
Identity source · PDF · Source checked October 3, 2026
View Supreme Court Courthouse Rules, revised February 2024 ↗Official judicial roster, revised June 5, 2026
Biography source · PDF · Source checked October 3, 2026
View Official judicial roster, revised June 5, 2026 ↗