McConnell, John James Jr. Born 1958 in Providence, RI Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island Nominated by Barack Obama on January 5, 2011, to a seat vacated by Ernest C. Torres. Confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 2011, and received commission on May 6, 2011. Education: Brown University, A.B., 1980 Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1983 Professional Career: Law clerk, Hon. Donald F. Shea, Rhode Island Supreme Court, 1983-1984 Private practice, Providence, Rhode Island, 1984-2011