Hon. James P. Howe is a judge for the South Kingstown Probate Court in Washington County, Rhode Island. He joined the bench in 2015.
Howe previously sat for twelve years as a probate judge for the North Kingstown Probate Court (2006 to 2018).
In addition to sitting on the probate court, he has managed his own private practice, the Law Office of James P. Howe, in Wakefield since 1982. During that time, he has handled cases involving motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and product defects. In addition, Howe represents employees in sexual harassment, discrimination, wage and hour claims, prevailing wage claims, and wrongful termination. He has also gained experience in false advertising, discrimination, unfair competition, fraud, and unfair business practices.
He was selected to Super Lawyers for 2019 to 2020.
Howe received a B.A. in history from Providence College in 1978. He went on to complete a J.D. at Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles in 1981. He was admitted to practice in Rhode Island in 1982.
He is a past president of the Rhode Island Association for Justice and has served as a member of the Board of Governors.
From a civic standpoint, Howe has served as a coach for boys basketball in the towns of North Kingstown and Narragansett. He also spent time as a fundraiser for the Women’s Resource Center of South County and Lasalle Academy.
He was named a Fellow of the Rhode Island Bar Foundation in 2013.