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Picking Judges: Who Gets to Sit on the Bench?
How are judges chosen in Rhode Island—and is the process really based on merit, or driven by political connections?
Our guests — Michael Yelnosky, professor and former dean of Roger Williams University School of Law, and John Marion MSL’20, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island — unpack how judges are chosen in Rhode Island and whether the system truly rewards excellence… or favors insiders.
Using a recent Providence Journal article by Katherine Gregg as a starting point — “How can you become a judge in RI? Start with political connections” — we discuss whether reforms intended to reduce patronage have lived up to their promise.
Highlights:
11:30 History of Picking Judges: Now vs. Before 1994
23:45 Upset About Judge Selection? Here's How to Speak Out
27:29 What Are Magistrates? Understanding Their Role and How They're Appointed
36:23 In RI, Knowing Everyone — Should That Disqualify Judge Selectors?
Resources:
“How can you become a judge in RI? Start with political connections.”
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/29/who-is-in-the-running-to-be-a-ri-judge-and-their-political-connections/85891915007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11----p118150c118150e000800v11xx10o11----b0072xxd117265&gca-ft=227&gca-ds=sophi
Bios
Prof. Michael Yelnoksy: https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/michael-j-yelnosky
John Marion MSL’20 https://law.rwu.edu/student-life/stories/exactly-what-i-needed
Common Cause Rhode Island
https://www.commoncause.org/rhode-island/about-us/
Judicial Nominating Commission
https://jnc.ri.gov/
View all episodes
By Roger Williams University School of Law
4.4
2626 ratings
How are judges chosen in Rhode Island—and is the process really based on merit, or driven by political connections?
Our guests — Michael Yelnosky, professor and former dean of Roger Williams University School of Law, and John Marion MSL’20, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island — unpack how judges are chosen in Rhode Island and whether the system truly rewards excellence… or favors insiders.
Using a recent Providence Journal article by Katherine Gregg as a starting point — “How can you become a judge in RI? Start with political connections” — we discuss whether reforms intended to reduce patronage have lived up to their promise.
Highlights:
11:30 History of Picking Judges: Now vs. Before 1994
23:45 Upset About Judge Selection? Here's How to Speak Out
27:29 What Are Magistrates? Understanding Their Role and How They're Appointed
36:23 In RI, Knowing Everyone — Should That Disqualify Judge Selectors?
Resources:
“How can you become a judge in RI? Start with political connections.”
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/29/who-is-in-the-running-to-be-a-ri-judge-and-their-political-connections/85891915007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11----p118150c118150e000800v11xx10o11----b0072xxd117265&gca-ft=227&gca-ds=sophi
Bios
Prof. Michael Yelnoksy: https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/michael-j-yelnosky
John Marion MSL’20 https://law.rwu.edu/student-life/stories/exactly-what-i-needed
Common Cause Rhode Island
https://www.commoncause.org/rhode-island/about-us/
Judicial Nominating Commission
https://jnc.ri.gov/
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