The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday approved Public Defender Lara Montecalvo’s nomination to the federal appeals court to fill the vacancy created by First Circuit Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson assuming senior status.
Montecalvo's nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Montecalvo, 48, of Barrington, has led the Rhode Island Public Defender’s office since 2020 after rising through the ranks and serving as chief of the appellate division. The state public defender’s office provides legal representation for Rhode Islanders who cannot afford to hire a lawyer in criminal, juvenile and parental rights cases.
The First Circuit hears appeals from the United States District Courts for the Districts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island.