President Joe Biden selects Lara Montecalvo for federal appeals court

PROVIDENCE – President Biden on Wednesday introduced the choice of Rhode Island Public Defender Lara E. Montecalvo because the nominee to the first U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals. 

The White Home introduced its decide of Montecalvo, who has led the state’s Public Defender workplace since 2020, successful reward from U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse who collectively beneficial Montecalvo after a vetting course of.  

“Lara Montecalvo is an distinctive public servant with sterling authorized credentials and a profound respect for the rule of regulation.  She has practiced regulation in each court docket in Rhode Island and earned excessive marks from her friends throughout the authorized spectrum,” Reed and Whitehouse mentioned in a joint assertion. “She is extremely certified for this necessary place and can convey a singular perspective and variety of expertise to the First Circuit.  We urge the Senate to contemplate and ensure her nomination in a swift and well timed method.”

Montecalvo was amongst 5 judicial nominees named Wednesday by the White Home.

“These decisions additionally proceed to meet the President’s promise to make sure that the nation’s courts mirror the range that’s one in every of our biggest property as a rustic — each by way of private {and professional} backgrounds,” the administration mentioned in a information launch.

Biden has made a degree of choosing nominees with expertise as public defenders in an effort to diversify the federal bench, together with U.S. Supreme Court docket Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. 

Carl W. Tobias, a professor on the College of Richmond College of Legislation, mentioned he anticipated Montecalvo to be confirmed by the Senate within the coming months.

“Lara Montecalvo is a nicely certified, mainstream nominee who enjoys the sturdy assist of each Rhode Island senators. She has substantial related expertise within the Rhode Island Public Defender Workplace, and Biden has nominated and confirmed many different legal protection counsel, who convey comparable experiential range to the federal courts, a lot of whose judges are former prosecutors, particularly U.S. Attorneys,” Tobias mentioned.

Tobias noticed, too, that Montecalvo would add gender range to the First Circuit.

In 2020:Montecalvo sworn in as Rhode Island Public Defender

Montecalvo, 48, lives in Barrington along with her husband, Craig V. Montecalvo, and their younger son. She serves as chief public defender, overseeing an workplace that gives authorized illustration for Rhode Islanders who can not afford to rent an legal professional in legal, juvenile, and parental rights circumstances. 

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Montecalvo will take the seat being vacated by the retirement of Choose O. Rogeriee Thompson, who introduced her plan to take senior standing earlier this yr. Thompson was the primary Black girl to serve on Rhode Island’s District Court docket, on Rhode Island’s Superior Court docket, and on the Boston-based First U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals.

Montecalvo earned a bachelor of arts diploma from Swarthmore Faculty and graduated magna cum laude in 2000 from Boston Faculty Legislation College.

Away from the bench:Trailblazer Choose O. Rogeriee Thompson declares plans to take semiretired standing

Montecalvo labored as a trial lawyer with the U.S. Division of Justice in Washington, D.C., for 4 years, specializing in civil tax issues in federal courts earlier than becoming a member of the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Workplace in 2004. She served as chief of the Appellate Division of the workplace previous to being chosen by Governor Gina Raimondo as chief.  

As soon as a successor is confirmed, Choose Thompson will proceed listening to circumstances on a extra restricted foundation.

As soon as Montecalvo is confirmed, Deputy Public Defender Matthew B. Toro will function performing chief defender till Governor McKee names a alternative.