RI judge recommended for federal post

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Rhode Island trial judge has been recommended for a seat on a federal appeals court.

Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse on Monday recommended Superior Court Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson for a seat on the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

President Barack Obama is ultimately resposible for nominating federal judicial candidates, and his selection must be confirmed by the Senate.

Thompson is the first African-American woman to serve on Rhode Island's Superior Court.

"I certainly feel very honored that they would consider me for this position," Thompson said in an interview. "I've been a trial judge for many years, and I thought this would be an exciting new legal challenge."

The senators also recommended Jack McConnell, a Providence-based trial lawyer with the Motley Rice LLC law firm, for a judgeship on Rhode Island's U.S. District Court.

"They both possess strong legal backgrounds, a commitment to justice, and the intellect, temperament, and integrity to serve as federal judge," Reed and Whitehouse said in a statement.

Presidents often nominate those recommended by senators, but are not required to do so. Thompson and McConnell would have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate if Obama were to nominate them.

Thompson would replace retiring Judge Bruce Selya on the appeals
court, which hears cases from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Puerto Rico. The seat is typically held by a Rhode Islander.

McConnell would succeed Ernest Torres, who left the bench earlier this year.

McConnell helped negotiate a multibillion-dollar settlement agreement between states and the tobacco industry and has more recently been involved in pressing lawsuits against the lead paint industry.