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Paul Suttell Chief Justice
Chief Justice, Rhode Island Supreme Court
Background: He began his legal career as an associate attorney in Pawtucket, R.I. before becoming legal counsel to the House Minority Leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1979 to 1982.
At a glance
- Court
- Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Position / seat
- Chief Justice
- Chief justice
- Yes
- How they joined the court
- Appointed by Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) (2003)
- Appointed by
- Gov. Donald Carcieri (R)
- Appointment date
- 2003
- Took office
- July 16, 2009
- Current term ends
- Not listed
- Next election or retention vote
- Not listed
- Last election
- Not listed
- Party (as listed by Ballotpedia)
- Nonpartisan
- Ballotpedia partisanship estimate
- Mild Republican (2020 study of justices' pre-court partisan activity)
- Education
- Bachelor's: Northwestern University, 1971
- Law: Suffolk University, 1976
- Prior offices
- Rhode Island Supreme Court (2003 - 2009)
- Rhode Island Family Court (1990 - 2003)
- Rhode Island House of Representatives (1983 - 1990)
- Profession
- Not listed
- How this court's justices are chosen
- Assisted appointment (governor-controlled commission)A nominating commission screens candidates and sends a shortlist; the governor appoints from it. In many such states, justices later face yes/no retention elections.
Summary of facts listed on Paul Suttell’s Ballotpedia page (retrieved Oct 26, 2026) · Photo: Ballotpedia. “Not listed” means Ballotpedia didn’t list it in a form this site could read; check Ballotpedia for the latest.
No public decision data available for this court.