W. Ellis Boyle

W. Ellis Boyle was appointed as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina by Attorney General Pamela Bondi on August 7, 2025, and was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle on August 11, 2025.

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Boyle leads federal law enforcement officials in the Eastern District of North Carolina, including 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 prosecutes 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 becoming the U.S. Attorney, Mr. Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., as a trial lawyer, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as General Counsel and Deputy Secretary at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS), which employs over 27,000 people. At that time, DPS controlled the state's prisons, probation, the State Highway Patrol, ALE, Emergency Management, the National Guard, and the juvenile justice system.

Prior to his role at DPS, Mr. Boyle served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as in bankruptcy cases.

Before serving as an AUSA, Mr. Boyle practiced as a business litigation associate at Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in complex business disputes and dissolutions.

Mr. Boyle hails 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.