Robert James McNichols (April 19, 1922 – January 20, 1993) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, McNichols was in the United States Army during World War II, from 1940 to 1941 and from 1943 to 1946. He received an LL.B. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1952. He was a law clerk, Hon. Edward Schaellenback, Supreme Court of Washington in 1952. He was a Deputy prosecuting attorney of Spokane, Washington from 1953 to 1954. He was in private practice in Spokane, Washington from 1955 to 1979.
McNichols was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. McNichols was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on November 6, 1979, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 5, 1979, and received his commission on December 10, 1979. He served as chief judge from 1980-1989. He assumed senior status on April 20, 1991. McNichols served in that capacity until January 20, 1993, due to his death.
He died in Spokane, Washington.