On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, WPRI reported that Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear is retiring from the bench after more than two decades of service. Judge Lanphear has submitted his retirement letter to Governor Dan McKee and informed Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Suttell of his decision, according to court spokesperson Lexi Kriss. The exact date of his departure has not been announced.
Appointed in 2003 by then-Governor Don Carcieri, Lanphear is a graduate of New England School of Law and an alumnus of Providence College and Cranston High School East. Throughout his tenure, he became known for his expertise in complex civil litigation, particularly in real estate and land use cases.
Notably, for the past two years, Lanphear has presided over Rhode Island’s first specialized Land Use Calendar, established in 2024 to address land use disputes. This initiative was part of House Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s legislative efforts to alleviate the state’s housing shortage by encouraging development. Presiding Justice Alice Gibney had previously stated that Lanphear’s experience made him the ideal choice to lead the new Land Use Calendar.
In its first year, Lanphear identified 110 qualifying cases and resolved several while clearing dozens of dormant cases, some dating back to 2008. In addition to his judicial duties, Lanphear served on the Judicial Tenure and Discipline Commission for 15 years.
Governor McKee will now be tasked with filling the vacancy left by Lanphear’s retirement, following the state’s judicial nominating process and Senate confirmation. A successor to manage the Land Use Calendar has not yet been named.
Source: WPRI
