--- title: "Paul A. Suttell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-a-suttell-chief-justice-rhode-island-supreme-court-ri" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Paul A. Suttell Supreme Court of Rhode Island · Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island - State: Rhode Island - Role: Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### cell phone use Scope: courtwide Rhode Island Supreme Court courthouse rules prohibit cellular telephone use in courtrooms and prohibit cell-phone camera and video use in the courthouse. Evidence excerpt: Cellular telephone use is strictly prohibited in the courtrooms. Cellular telephone camera and video is strictly prohibited in the courthouse. [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording equipment Scope: courtwide Rhode Island courthouse rules list photographic and audio-visual equipment, including cameras and audio or video recorders, as prohibited items. Evidence excerpt: No photographic or audio-visual equipment of any type, including cameras, video, or audio recorders or players. [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Opinions/Supreme-25-82.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Opinions/Supreme-25-82.pdf) - [Rhode Island Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Opinions/Supreme-25-82.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5620/paul-suttell/) - [Calendars and Public Access to Court Hearings](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Pages/PublicAccessCourtHearings.aspx) - [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5620/paul-suttell/) - [Supreme Court Courthouse Rules, revised February 2024](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/Your%20Day%20In%20Court/Courthouse%20Rules%20February%205,%202024.pdf) - [Official judicial roster, revised June 5, 2026](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Public-Resources/Documents/JudicialRoster.pdf) - [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Suttell) - [www.ali.org](https://www.ali.org/profile/831) - [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Suttell) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5620/paul-suttell/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-a-suttell-chief-justice-rhode-island-supreme-court-ri", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-a-suttell-chief-justice-rhode-island-supreme-court-ri", "name": "Paul A. 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