[2] He began his legal career in Pawtucket with the firm of Crowe, Chester & Adams, and then as an associate with Beals & DiFiore in Providence from 1978 to 1990.

During his tenure in the Rhode Island General Assembly, he served on the House Committees on the Judiciary, Corporations, and Special Legislation, the Joint Committees on the Environment and the Arts, and the Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Lottery Commission.

On July 9, 1990, Suttell was appointed by Governor Edward D. DiPrete as an associate justice of the Rhode Island Family Court.

During his time on the trial bench, he presided over the juvenile wayward and delinquency, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and domestic calendars.

Governor Carcieri also appointed him as the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court effective July 16, 2009.