W. Ellis Boyle Sworn in as United States Attorney for Eastern North Carolina

Last week, W. Ellis Boyle was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle administered the oath of office at the Terry Sandford Courthouse in Raleigh. W. Ellis Boyle was appointed interim U.S. District attorney by Attorney General Pam Bondi on August 7th, 2025.  

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Boyle is the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 eastern most counties of North Carolina. He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel.  The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking, and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States. 

Before serving as a U.S. Attorney, Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith focusing on litigation representing businesses, government entities, and individuals. Previously he served as the General Counsel and Deputy Secretary at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, which oversees the state’s prisons, probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard, and the juvenile justice system.  

Before serving as General Counsel at DPS, Boy was an Assistant Untied States Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two year. He tried several cases in federal court, representing the United States in cases involving negligence and malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, and bankruptcy cases.  

Before serving as an AUSA, Mr. Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution. 

Mr. Boyle is from northeastern North Carolina, born and raised in Edenton. He earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. Following his time in the Army, Mr. Boyle earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Honorable Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.