United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
About This Court
Located in Providence, this federal district court serves the entire state of Rhode Island, making it one of the few single-district states in the federal court system. The court falls within the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which also covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and the District of Massachusetts.
Rhode Island is the smallest state by area in the United States, and its district court reflects that compact geography with a unified, single-division structure. Despite its small footprint, the court handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising within the state.
The court has historically maintained a relatively modest docket compared to larger districts, but it handles cases involving federal regulatory matters, civil rights, and criminal prosecutions brought by the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, District of Rhode Island.
Caseload
As one of the smaller federal districts by geography and population, the District of Rhode Island maintains a proportionally smaller docket that covers the standard range of civil and criminal federal matters. The court has seen notable cases involving public corruption and organized crime.
Bar Admission
Attorneys seeking admission to practice before the District of Rhode Island must be admitted to the bar of the State of Rhode Island or another federal district court, and must comply with the court's local rules governing admission.
Clerk's Office
One Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 752-7200
Active Judges 5
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa DuBose | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | Roger Williams University School of Law |
| Mary Lisi | William J. Clinton | 1994 | Temple University School of Law (now James E. Beasley School of Law) |
| John McConnell | Barack Obama | 2011 | Case Western Reserve University School of Law |
| Mary McElroy | Donald J. Trump | 2019 | Suffolk University Law School |
| William Smith | George W. Bush | 2002 | Georgetown University Law Center |
Local Rules
90 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.