W. Ellis Boyle

W. Ellis Boyle is the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Appointed in August 2025, he leads federal law enforcement efforts across 44 counties and oversees an office of attorneys and support professionals. Boyle’s responsibilities include federal criminal prosecutions involving violent crime, drug trafficking, national security, gangs, and immigration, as well as civil litigation in which the United States is a party and federal debt collection matters.

Boyle earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law after completing an undergraduate degree in history at Davidson College. After college, he served four years as a U.S. Army infantry officer and attained the rank of Captain. Following law school, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton in the Eastern District of Virginia, gaining experience with federal court procedure and judicial decision-making early in his legal career.

Before becoming U.S. Attorney, Boyle practiced complex litigation at Ward and Smith, P.A., representing businesses, government entities, and individuals. He previously served as General Counsel and Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Earlier, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where he handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving negligence and medical malpractice, bankruptcy matters, and other civil litigation. He also practiced business litigation at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice.

W. Ellis Boyle brings experience from private litigation, federal prosecution, state government leadership, military service, and judicial clerkship work to his current public service role. As U.S. Attorney, he oversees federal criminal and civil matters throughout eastern North Carolina while coordinating with law enforcement agencies and government partners. His background in business disputes, government operations, and federal litigation provides broad experience with the legal and administrative responsibilities of the office.

Law Office Affiliations

• U.S. Attorney, EDNC USAO
• Member, North Carolina State Bar

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• Wake Forest University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Davidson College
  BA in History