News

Peter E. Garvey, a partner with the Providence law firm of Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney, LLP, was recently recognized in the 2018 edition of Super Lawyers, New England for his expertise in the areas of professional liability, personal injury defense, and insurance defense.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. No more than five percent of the lawyers in Rhode Island are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers, New England to receive the “Super Lawyer” designation.

Peter maintains an active litigation practice throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. He also defends businesses in other matters of alleged negligence including premises liability, liquor liability and general insurance defense. In the process, he has achieved considerable success in defending cases involving major retailers and various companies involved in the hospitality field.

After graduating from law school, Peter served as a law clerk to justices of the Superior Courts for Connecticut and Rhode Island. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and the New England School of Law, where he graduated with honors.

In addition to Peter’s selection, J. David Freel and Kristina I. Hultman were chosen as “Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers, New England. This marks the third consecutive year that both David and Kristina have received this exclusive recognition.

David is admitted to practice in the state courts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Since 2009, he has been representing primarily national and regional corporate clients both before and throughout all phases of litigation including in the areas of insurance defense, premises liability, product liability, and commercial litigation. David previously served as a law clerk in the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s Law Clerk Department. He is a magna cum laude graduate of the Roger Williams University School of Law where he served as Executive Articles Editor of the Roger Williams University Law Review. Prior to law school, David graduated with highest distinction from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in economics.

Kristina is admitted to practice in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She has extensive experience arguing numerous dispositive and discovery motions and is well-versed in all aspects of pre-trial discovery. Her practice focuses on product liability, premises liability, insurance defense and professional liability. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law. While in law school, Kristina served as Associate Editor of the Roger Williams University Law Review.

To be eligible for inclusion as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, New England, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.  No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in any given state receive the designation of a “Rising Star” in any one year.

Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney recently hosted a very well-received Open House to celebrate the relocation of the firm’s Providence headquarters. It was a gala event attended by more than 80 people. Great fun and good cheer were evident throughout the entire evening.

The event also provided an opportunity to mingle and network among the many leading business personnel in attendance from the fields of finance, business and law.

Clients and friends of the firm also had an opportunity to view the modern offices, which were specially designed to manage more efficiently and effectively the flow of information between departments and practice groups.

The new headquarters at 10 Dorrance Street in Providence is located across from City Hall and is only a short walk from the state and federal court houses. The recent move represents the firm’s longstanding commitment to Rhode Island’s capital city. At the same time, the firm has expanded regionally with the opening Boston office within the past year.

Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney partner James Ruggieri was interviewed recently by NBC10 anchor Frank Coletta on the wide-ranging impact of Rhode Island’s new paid sick leave law – the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplace Act.” The law takes effect on July 1st. Even so, many employers are already preparing for the upcoming compliance date.

Employees can accrue and use leave for: 1) the employee’s own health condition; 2) to care for certain family members with health conditions; closure of the employee’s business or a child’s school due to a public health emergency; or 4) the employee or family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Most employers with 18 or more employees must provide paid leave; employers with fewer than 18 employees must provide unpaid leave. This new law is very technical and will have a profound impact on the workplace. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact James Ruggieri.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recently released their “Best Law Firms” selections for 2017 for the State of Rhode Island.

Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney, LLP (HCC) was named once again as one of the “Best Law Firms,” while achieving special recognition in the areas of personal injury litigation defense and product liability litigation defense.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that HCC has been named among the “Best Law Firms.” During this entire time, the firm also has received “Tier 1” recognition for personal injury litigation defense and product liability litigation defense in Rhode Island from U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

The rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

Firms selected in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence as a result of persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

“We are pleased and proud to have been recognized once again by our clients and colleagues in such a fashion. This recognition, afforded by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, underscores the quality of practice, the breadth of legal experience, and the litigation talent which extends across our entire law firm,” said Managing Partner Stephen B. Lang.

James A. Ruggieri has been acknowledged by The American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel and The National Law Journal for his excellence in the field of insurance law. Throughout his distinguished career, he has litigated numerous insurance law matters on behalf of commercial and individual policyholders with a particular emphasis on product liability and employment law. He has also handled complex cases for leading carriers  involving insurance coverage issues.

During this time, James has represented some of the largest insurance companies in the world. In the process, he has successfully guided numerous cases through the trial and appellate courts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Earlier this year, he was recognized by both The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel for his outstanding achievement in the field of product liability litigation.