Apply Now: Rhode Island Bankruptcy Judge Vacancy

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on March 22, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

If you're a distinguished Rhode Island Bankruptcy lawyer, you may be interested in knowing that there is a judgeship vacancy, and that applications are now being accepted. In a press release, Chief Judge Sandra Lynch of the First Circuit Court of Appeals announced the creation of a Bankruptcy Merit Selection Panel. The Panel will screen and review the qualifications of applicants for the Bankruptcy Judge vacancy left by the Honorable Arthur N. Votolato.

Judge Votolato has served on the Bankruptcy Court in the District of Rhode Island since 1968. Judge Votolato, a 1956 graduate of Boston University School of Law, served as Bankruptcy Court Judge after a distinguished career in Bankruptcy, where he became Chief Judge of the First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel in 1996.

The job of filling Bankruptcy Court vacancies lies with the courts of appeals, assisted by the circuit councils, according to statute. Bankruptcy Judges are appointed to 14-year terms.

The Panel will be chaired by Senior Judge Norman H. Stahl of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. He will be assisted on the Panel by Judge O. Regeriee Thompson, Judge William E. Smith, Attorney W. Mark Russo, Attorney Patricia Antonelli, Attorney Stephen F. DelSesto, Attorney Gary Wente and Attorney Susan Goldberg.

The judgeship vacancy is open to attorneys with a demonstrated excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law and/or commercial litigation. Applications are available online, or at the Office of the Circuit Executive. Applications may also be obtained from the Bankruptcy Court Clerk for the District of Rhode Island.

Qualifications and criteria for the vacancy are listed in the press release online. The First Circuit Court of Appeal will make the appointment based on recommendations of the Judicial Council of the First Circuit. The deadline to apply is April 20, 2012.

Related Resources:

First Circuit Court of Appeals (HomePage)
Browse United States First Circuit Summaries (FindLaw)
Judges of the First Circuit (First Circuit Court of Appeals)