By JIM BARON

PROVIDENCE — Paul Suttell was given final confirmation as the 51st chief justice of the RI Supreme Court by a unanimous vote of the Senate Thursday.

Called “an unassuming man who makes you relax in his company,” by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael McCaffrey, Suttell is scheduled to be sworn in July 16 on the steps of the State House.
Suttell, 60, has been an associate justice of the Supreme Court since being  appointed by Gov. Donald Carcieri in July, 2003. He succeeds the retired Frank Williams as chief justice. Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg has served as acting chief justice since Williams’ retirement late last year. Suttell was confirmed by the House of Representatives earlier this week.
In a brief speech thanking the Senate for its vote to approve his nomination, Suttell said “the prospect of becoming the chief justice of Rhode Island is an indescribable honor.
“I began my career in public service in this General Assembly 30 years ago, first as legal counsel to the House Minority Leader, then as an elected state representative, in the Family Court and currently as associate justice of the Supreme Court,” Suttell said. He noted that several members of the Senate who had just voted for his confirmation had served with him in the House of Representatives from 1983 until 1990, when he was nominated to be a Family Court judge, including Sens. Harold Metts, Paul Jabour and Dominick Ruggerio.
Carcieri, who nominated Suttell for the top post in the Rhode Island judiciary last month said in written statement Thursday: “I commend the House and Senate for their swift and unanimous confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Paul A. Suttell as the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
“Justice Suttell has a lifelong record of service to the people of Rhode Island,” Carcieri added, “first as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and later serving on the Family Court and the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He has dedicated his career to upholding justice and the highest standards of ethical conduct, which has earned him the respect of his colleagues on the bench and in the Legislature.”
Sen. Charles Levesque, an attorney, referred to Suttell’s tenure on Family Court, saying that body “is probably the one that has the greatest impact” on people’s lives. “One of the reasons I seldom practice in Family Court is my heart can’t stand it. I always wonder how they do it – the issues of family dissolution, of what you do with an abused and violated child, how do you rectify the things that happen in a family that is going through crisis.
“Judge Suttell dealt with that, and dealt with it in a way that even people who had opinions rendered against him spoke highly of him. He is a person who brings both strength and humility and those are rare virtues to have in concert.”
Senate Majority Leader Dennis Algiere made a point of thanking Carcieri, a Republican, for nominating Suttell. Algiere said Suttell “has the leadership ability, the temperament, and certainly the qualifications to serve at the helm of our judiciary.”
Levesque joked that “as somebody from the East Bay, it is nice to have somebody from the East Bay recognized by the governor. For the most part, I thought he did not think Rhode Island went south of Barrington.” Suttell lives in Little Compton.
In a written statement, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed said, “During the advice and consent process, the Senate received numerous letters and testimony attesting to Justice Suttell’s fair-mindedness, judicial temperament and knowledge of the law. Having had the opportunity to practice before Justice Suttell in the Family Court, I know first-hand that he brings those rare and special qualities so vital in a judge: He is fair and compassionate, thoughtful and insightful. He has a deep knowledge of and respect for the law. He is a jurist of the highest character, and he will serve the public well as the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.”
In the same press release, House Speaker William Murphy said, “Justice Suttell is the consummate gentleman. Anyone who appeared before him when he was a judge in Family Court, whether the decision was favorable or unfavorable, was always treated with dignity and respect. He has distinguished himself as a member of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and I am confident he will accomplish great things as its new Chief Justice. Under his leadership, the Supreme Court will meet its responsibilities with compassion and understanding.”