UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND
GENERAL ORDER ESTABLISHING THE COURT ADVISORY COUNCIL
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island hereby establishes a Court Advisory
Council (“Council”) of federal litigators whose mission is to:
• Identify, study, and propose actions to assist the Court in securing the just, speedy, and
inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.
• Serve as a resource for the Court seeking input from the bar.
• Advise the Court and Custodian of the Bar Fund on the administration of the Fund.
• Provide a resource that the judges and the District Clerk can call on to assist Court business,
e.g., whether to serve on search committees, develop new projects, or handle other routine
matters.
The Council will consist of federal litigation attorneys practicing in various practice areas
within the district. When possible, the Council should consist of proportional representatives of
federal court litigators from these areas:
1. Civil litigation (both plaintiff and defendants)
2. Commercial litigation
3. Criminal law
4. Social Security appeals
5. Intellectual property
6. Admiralty
7. Pro Se litigation
The Court will appoint the Council after soliciting interest from members of the bar,
receiving nominations from the bar and bench, and input and recommendations from diverse
organizations such as the Rhode Island Bar Association, Rhode Island Chapter of the FBA, Rhode
Island Women’s Bar Association, Thurgood Marshall Law Society, Rhode Island Center for
Justice, Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Rhode Island Hispanic Bar
Association, Federal Defenders/CJA, United States Attorney’s Office, Rhode Island Association
for Justice, and Rhode Island Defense Research Institute. The Court will ensure that the Council
is composed of a diverse representative group of the bar.
The Court will appoint co-chairs. Appointed Council members shall serve for stagged
three-year terms with the terms of 1/3 of the members expiring each year. Members may be
reappointed to another three-year term. The Council will meet periodically with the Chief Judge,
other judges of the Court, and Court staff. Meetings will be open to the bar and public. Meetings
will be streamed live on the Internet. Prior to each meeting, the Council will ask for input from
the bar for any topics they would like the Council to take-up.
The Council may have the following committees:
o Local Rules and Court Practice
This committee will manage the local rules process. Will initiate and
request input on local rules, review suggestions, evaluate and provide report
and recommendations on the adoption of the suggestions. The Committee
will offer input on the procedures for future remote operations. This
committee will also make recommendations on Court procedures that do
not rise to the level of a local rule or are unrelated to a local rule.
o Education/CLE
This committee will propose periodic programs of instruction that the Court
will sponsor on relevant topics beneficial to the bench and bar.
o District Court Conference
Every 2 years, the District of Rhode Island hosts a District-wide conference.
This committee will plan the conference, to include consulting with the
Court on the topic, speakers, and format.
o Criminal Law and Probation
This committee will discuss the specific areas of interest for the criminal
bar and criminal defendants and will recommend areas of change or
improvement in criminal practice, procedure, and probation matters and
reentry and diversion programs.
o Access to Justice (Pro Se and Pro Bono)
This committee will plan the annual POWER Act event, will manage the
Pro Se clinic, maintain the Court’s pro bono panel, and make
recommendations on access to justice issues involving prisoner access and
filings.
o Bar Fund Oversight
o Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
IT IS SO ORDERED.
By the Court:
January 5, 2023 /s/ John J. McConnell Jr., Chief Judge
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