WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded President Obama for nominating John J. "Jack" McConnell to the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. Following an open and in-depth selection process which included extensive interviews and careful deliberation, the Senators recommended Mr. McConnell's nomination to the President.

"Jack McConnell is a brilliant legal mind and an outstanding community leader. We believe he possesses the experience, intellect, and temperament to be a great judge on the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. He has gotten strong support from both sides of the aisle in Rhode Island and we hope his confirmation will proceed smoothly," said Reed and Whitehouse.

Mr. McConnell's nomination will now be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee to be reviewed and reported out by the Committee. Once that process is completed successfully, the nomination must be confirmed by the full Senate.

Jack McConnell was born in Providence and received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Mr. McConnell is a prominent attorney who is well known for his pro bono work and for successfully leading the historic tobacco settlement case which helped aid public health and prevent more young people from smoking.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is the state's federal trial court that has jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters.