Rice, Thomas O., 1960-

Thomas Owen Rice (born December 9, 1960) is a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. On June 29, 2011, President Obama nominated Rice to the seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington that had been vacated by Judge Robert H. Whaley, who took senior status in 2009. He received his commission on March 8, 2012. Rice served as Chief Judge of the court from January 27, 2016 to July 24, 2020.