Mrs. Rice served from August 1999 through 2001 as a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office. She was assigned to the general crimes division and prosecuted bank robbers, drug traffickers and weapons violators. She was involved in the development and implementation of the Operation Safe Neighborhoods project in Youngstown, a federal initiative that prosecutes those who illegally possess and use fire-arms.

Prior to becoming the assistant U.S. attorney in Youngstown, Mrs. Rice was first assistant in the Trumbull County Prosecutor's Criminal Division. Since 1991, she has prosecuted felony cases including aggravated murder, murder, rape, felonious assault and drug trafficking.

While working as an assistant county prosecutor, Mrs. Rice was appointed a special assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute drug cases generated by the Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force.

Mrs. Rice will be returning this week to the Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office as a part-time assistant prosecutor assigned to the Drug Task Force.

The 11th District Court of Appeals' jurisdiction includes Trumbull, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Portage counties.

Mrs. Rice is married to Trumbull County Eastern District Court Judge Ronald Rice. They have three children.