Peter F. Neronha is an American lawyer and politician who has served as Rhode Island’s attorney general since January 2019. Before taking the state’s top legal office, he spent nearly eight years as U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island under President Barack Obama.
Neronha has built his career almost entirely around criminal prosecution, government litigation and public service. In 2026, his final year as Rhode Island attorney general, he has remained active in state criminal cases, consumer protection matters and major legal challenges involving the federal government.
Who Is Peter F. Neronha?
Peter Franz Neronha is the 74th Attorney General of Rhode Island. He was first elected to the office in November 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019. He was reelected in 2022.
As attorney general, Neronha serves as Rhode Island’s chief legal officer. His office prosecutes criminal cases, represents state agencies in litigation, brings legal actions on behalf of Rhode Islanders and oversees the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
His career has also included work as a private attorney, state prosecutor and federal prosecutor. Before becoming attorney general, he served as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island from 2009 through 2017.
What Is Peter Neronha’s Real Name?
Peter Neronha’s full name is Peter Franz Neronha.
Public records and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office identify him as Peter F. Neronha. He was born on December 17, 1963.
How Old Is Peter Neronha?
Peter Neronha is 62 years old as of October 2026. He was born on December 17, 1963.
His age is based on his publicly documented date of birth in Rhode Island government records.
Where Is Peter Neronha From?
Neronha was born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and is a fourth-generation native of Jamestown, Rhode Island. He grew up in the state and attended North Kingstown High School, graduating in 1981.
His long connection to Rhode Island has been an important part of his public career. After spending his early professional years in Massachusetts, he returned to Jamestown in the mid-1990s and entered Rhode Island government service.
Peter Neronha’s Early Life and Education
Neronha attended North Kingstown High School before enrolling at Boston College.
He graduated from Boston College in 1985, summa cum laude. He then attended Boston College Law School, graduating in 1989 magna cum laude. While studying law, he was a member of the Boston College Law Review.
His academic background preceded a legal career that initially took him into private practice before he moved into prosecution and public service.
How Did Peter Neronha Start His Legal Career?
After graduating from Boston College Law School in 1989, Neronha joined the Boston law firm Goodwin Procter, where he worked until 1996.
In 1996, he returned to Rhode Island and joined the state Attorney General’s Office as a Special Assistant Attorney General. He was later appointed an Assistant Attorney General and spent the following years prosecuting criminal cases in state courts.
That experience established the prosecutorial foundation for the federal career that followed.
Peter Neronha’s Federal Prosecutor Career
Neronha joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island in 2002 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
During his years in the office, he held several positions, including Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force. His work involved the prosecution of federal crimes and other matters handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
His experience eventually led to his appointment as U.S. Attorney.
Peter Neronha as U.S. Attorney
President Barack Obama appointed Neronha as U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island in 2009. He took office on September 16 of that year and served until March 10, 2017.
As U.S. Attorney, Neronha supervised federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the federal government. He was also appointed by U.S. Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
His federal tenure gave him experience dealing with organized crime, public corruption, financial crimes and other federal matters. It also established his profile as one of Rhode Island’s most prominent prosecutors.
Neronha stepped down as U.S. Attorney in March 2017 after nearly eight years in the position. At the time, he described his public service as the defining part of his professional life.
Peter Neronha as Rhode Island Attorney General
After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Neronha entered the 2018 race for Rhode Island attorney general.
He won the election on November 6, 2018, becoming the state’s 74th attorney general. He was sworn in on January 1, 2019.
He won reelection in 2022 and continued serving as the state’s chief legal officer.
His responsibilities have included criminal prosecutions, consumer protection, litigation involving state agencies, public records matters, environmental issues and legal actions affecting Rhode Island residents.
Peter Neronha’s Major Work as Attorney General
Neronha’s tenure has covered a broad range of legal issues.
His office has pursued criminal cases throughout Rhode Island while also taking action involving consumer protection, health care, public safety and government accountability.
One notable area has been litigation against major opioid companies. According to Neronha’s official biography, his office secured nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in opioid-related settlements, with the money intended to support treatment and health care in Rhode Island.
His office has also established a Violent Crime Task Force focused on illegal firearms and crimes connected to community violence. The initiative has included attention to so-called ghost guns, which can be difficult for law enforcement to trace.
Peter Neronha and Federal Litigation in 2026
Neronha’s final year in office has included an unusually visible role in litigation involving the federal government.
In April 2026, he joined a coalition of attorneys general challenging a Trump administration executive order concerning federal involvement in state election administration. The coalition argued that the order interfered with states’ constitutional authority over elections.
In June, a federal district court blocked key parts of the administration’s election-related order. Neronha’s office said the ruling prevented the federal government from implementing the challenged provisions for the November 2026 election.
In September, Neronha’s office also announced that the coalition had secured a U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking restrictions on voting by mail for the 2026 election.
These cases have made federal litigation a significant part of his final year as attorney general.
Peter Neronha’s Consumer Protection and Health Care Work
Neronha’s office has also remained active on issues affecting Rhode Island consumers and health care.
In June 2026, his office announced a $1.35 million settlement with parking management company UPP Global over allegations involving hidden parking fees and communications that the state said were deceptive.
In September, Neronha directed changes to a strategic plan involving Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals following a change in ownership. His office said the plan required revisions before it could meet the conditions attached to the state’s approval.
His office also remains involved in health insurance issues. On September 29, 2026, Neronha issued a statement concerning Rhode Island’s 2027 health insurance rate approvals.
Peter Neronha’s Criminal Justice Work
Criminal prosecution remains one of the central responsibilities of Neronha’s office.
The Attorney General’s Office handles felony prosecutions in Rhode Island and misdemeanor appeals, among other responsibilities.
In October 2026, Neronha announced two significant criminal developments. On October 6, his office announced that a Providence man had been found guilty in the 2021 murder of Keshaudas Spence. The same day, Neronha and Newport Police announced the arrest of a former Newport man in connection with an alleged 1985 murder following a cold case investigation.
These cases illustrate the continuing prosecutorial role of the office during Neronha’s final months in the position.
Peter Neronha’s Awards and Professional Achievements
Neronha’s professional achievements include his appointment as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, two successful statewide elections for attorney general and his participation in national legal organizations.
In December 2020, he was elected as a member of The American Law Institute, an organization of lawyers, judges and legal scholars that works on the development and clarification of American law.
His career has also included senior roles within both state and federal prosecution offices.
Is Peter Neronha Married?
Yes. Peter Neronha is married to Shelly Johnson.
According to Neronha’s biographical information, he met Shelly while living in Boston. She later trained in internal medicine, with education that included MIT and Stanford Medical School. The couple returned to Jamestown in 1996 and started their family there.
Does Peter Neronha Have Children?
Yes. Neronha and his wife have two sons, Zach and Josh. His official biography identifies them as the couple’s two children.
Neronha has generally kept his family life separate from his public legal career, so detailed personal information about his children is not necessary to understanding his professional background.
Why Is Peter Neronha Leaving Office?
Neronha is term-limited and cannot seek another consecutive term as Rhode Island attorney general in the 2026 election. The National Association of Attorneys General lists Rhode Island’s 2026 attorney general race as an open contest because the incumbent is term-limited.
In October 2025, Neronha also announced that he would not seek another elected office after his attorney general term ended. He specifically ruled out a run for governor despite earlier speculation that he might enter the race.
He said at the time that attorney general was the only elected position he had been truly interested in and that he and his family had decided it was time for him to move on at the end of 2026.
What Is Peter Neronha Doing Now?
As of October 2026, Neronha remains Rhode Island’s attorney general and continues to oversee the office’s criminal prosecutions and legal work.
His office’s most recent public announcements include criminal cases announced on October 6 and continuing work on health care, consumer protection and other state legal matters.
His current term is scheduled to end after his successor is elected and qualified. Rhode Island’s 2026 general election is scheduled for November 3, with the new attorney general taking office in January 2027.
Neronha has said he does not intend to seek another elected position after leaving the attorney general’s office.
Peter Neronha’s Latest News
The latest developments involving Neronha have centered on the final months of his attorney general tenure.
On October 6, 2026, his office announced a murder conviction in Providence County Superior Court and separately announced charges against a former Newport man in an alleged 1985 murder case.
His office has also continued handling health care and regulatory matters. In late September, Neronha addressed Rhode Island’s 2027 health insurance rates and required changes to a strategic plan connected to Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals.
At the federal level, his 2026 legal work has included challenges involving elections, voting by mail, federal funding, health care and other areas where his office says state authority or Rhode Island interests are at stake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter F. Neronha
What is Peter Neronha’s real name?
His full name is Peter Franz Neronha.
How old is Peter Neronha?
Peter Neronha is 62 years old as of October 2026. He was born on December 17, 1963.
Where was Peter Neronha born?
He was born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and is a fourth-generation native of Jamestown, Rhode Island.
What does Peter Neronha do?
Neronha is an attorney and politician who serves as the Attorney General of Rhode Island. He has held the position since January 2019.
When did Peter Neronha become Rhode Island attorney general?
He won the 2018 election and was sworn in on January 1, 2019.
Was Peter Neronha a U.S. Attorney?
Yes. President Barack Obama appointed him U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island in 2009. He served until 2017.
Where did Peter Neronha go to college?
He graduated from Boston College in 1985 and later earned his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1989.
Is Peter Neronha married?
Yes. He is married to Shelly Johnson. They have two sons, Zach and Josh.
Why can’t Peter Neronha run for attorney general again?
Neronha is term-limited after serving two consecutive four-year terms. The 2026 Rhode Island attorney general election is therefore an open-seat contest.
Is Peter Neronha running for governor?
No. Neronha announced in October 2025 that he would not run for governor or seek another elected office after his attorney general term ends.
What is Peter Neronha doing now?
As of October 2026, he remains Rhode Island’s attorney general and continues overseeing the state’s criminal prosecutions, litigation and other legal responsibilities while preparing to leave office at the end of his term.