Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Less than a month after being nominated by Governor Carcieri, Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell on Thursday won Senate confirmation as Rhode Island's next chief justice.

Paul A. Suttell

It was the final step in his rapid-fire confirmation before the General Assembly. Just this week, he has won support from both the Senate and the House and their respective judiciary committees.

Described widely as a fair-minded, kind judge with a sharp intellect and humble nature, Suttell beamed as Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, announced the 37-to-0 vote. His wife, Mary, a volunteer firefighter, his son, William, and his inlaws stood at his side.

The chamber was ringed by judges as the Senate voted. They rose for a standing ovation after the vote.

Suttell said it was an "indescribible honor."

"I've always considered public service to be a great privilege," he said. He said he hoped to build on relationships he has estblished and work cooperatively with the Senate.

Suttell replaces Frank J. Williams, who retired as chief justice in December after eight years at the helm of the state judiciary. Suttell inherits a court system with a proposed $102-million budget for the coming year and about 700 employees. Suttell would be paid $201,172 a year as chief justice, with longevity.

Suttell was appointed to Family Court in 1990 and to the high court in 2003. He represented Little Compton, Portsmouth and Tiverton as a Republican state legislator from 1983 to 1990. He lives in Little Compton and holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Suffolk University.

He will be sworn in the coming weeks.

 Tags  Little Compton RI R.I. Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell Rhode Island Supreme Court

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.