The Hon. Brian Van Couyghen is an associate justice for the Rhode Island Superior Court. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Donald Carcieri on October 22, 2010.
Van Couyghen currently presides over the Civil Calendar in Courtroom No. 4A in Kent County.
Prior to his appointment, Van Couyghen was an attorney in private practice, handling civil litigation and criminal defense matters since 1984. During this time, he gained extensive experience in business organization, contract negotiations, zoning, and state and local regulatory law. He also spent time as Legislative Counsel to the Rhode Island General Assembly (2001 to 2010).
Van Couyghen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1978. He then completed a J.D. at New England Law in 1981.
After graduating from law school, Van Couyghen began his legal career as a special assistant attorney general for the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General. He held assignments in the Civil Division and the Criminal Division.
His memberships have included the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. He is also actively involved with the Narragansett Land Conservancy Trust, the Narragansett Conservation Commission, the Narragansett Charter Revision Committee, and the Narragansett Lions Club.
Raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Van Couyghen attended East Providence High School. He was a resident of Narragansett at the time of his appointment. He and his wife, Christine Marie Moore, have two children.