The Judicial Nominating Commission is charged with screening applicants for vacancies on all of Rhode Island’s courts. Upon notification of a judicial vacancy, the Commission advertises for interested candidates, who then complete an extensive application. The Commission then selects candidates to be interviewed, solicits public comment, and conducts background checks. Based on the information developed throughout this process, the Commission votes and submits to the Governor a list of 3-5 highly qualified individuals for each vacancy.

The Commission was created by statute in 1994 and comprises nine Rhode Island residents, of which five are lawyers. By statute, the Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and various legislative leaders. All Commissioners serve as volunteers.

When there is a judicial vacancy, the JNC will advertise in a number of state newspapers (i.e. the Providence Journal, Rhode Island Lawyers’ Weekly, Pawtucket Times, etc.) and deadlines will be set out in the ad. If, at that time, you are interested in applying for the vacancy, please download the forms listed in the links box, fill them out and forward the documents (along with the required attachments) to the JNC Chairperson, Louise Durfee, Judicial Nominating Commission, c/o Eneida Diaz, Legal Assistant, 50 Kennedy Plaza, Ste. 1500, Providence, RI 02903.  Once the documents are received, they will be kept on file in a locked cabinet at the JNC office at One Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island 02908. *Please remember that if your application is incomplete in any way, the Commission will not consider it.

If, at the time you are interested in applying for a vacancy, you already have an application on file, please put your interest in writing (letter form to the JNC) and your name will be added to the list of candidates. However, if you believe you may need to update your information so that it is brought current, please indicate that in your letter and forward your updated materials within the time frame allowed in the ad.

If you have any procedural questions, or any questions at all for that matter, please contact Eneida Diaz, the Legal Assistant to the JNC, at 401-457-5188.

Thank you for your interest.