200-Year-Old R.I. Firm Dwindles & Dies

A venerable Rhode Island law firm that long ago earned a respected name in the state’s history books has dwindled to the point where it is no longer a viable…

May 2, 2008 4:47 PM CDT

R.I. Court to Webcast Key Lead Paint Arguments

In a first for Rhode Island, the state’s highest court will webcast hearings on the closely watched lead-paint case against three major manufacturers.

While the state’s high court doesn’t typically…

Apr 22, 2008 10:50 AM CDT

Cases Dropped for 115 R.I. Teens; No Probable Cause Hearings

A new—and short-lived—state law in Rhode Island that put 17-year-olds in adult court was constitutional, a judge says.

But because teens didn’t get probable cause hearings before being “referred” to…

Feb 6, 2008 6:45 PM CST

$1.2M Paid in R.I. Lead Paint Suit

More than two years after DuPont agreed to pay $12 million and clean up 600 homes in order to settle a lead paint lawsuit brought by the state of Rhode…

Dec 18, 2007 11:26 PM CST

R.I. Gay Couple Can’t Divorce There, State High Court Rules

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has refused to allow the state’s courts to grant a divorce to a lesbian couple married in Massachusetts.

The 3-2 ruling (PDF) released…

Dec 10, 2007 1:49 PM CST

R.I. Chief Justice to Head Terror Review Panel

The Defense Department has announced that Rhode Island Chief Justice Frank J. Williams will head the military appeals panel that reviews terror cases.

Williams replaces Chief Judge Griffin Bell as…

Nov 27, 2007 10:33 PM CST

Should Parents Be Able to Disinherit Minor Children?

Everyone agrees that Anthony “Corky” Sliwkowski loved his daughters. Yet when the Rhode Island dentist died in 2004, it turned out that he had disinherited the girls, then aged 11…

Nov 12, 2007 11:57 PM CST

Judicial Candidate Doesn’t Lie About Most Admired Figure

At least one judicial candidate didn’t feel the need to sound intellectual when asked which historical figure he would most want to spend the day with.

Former Boston Celtics star…

Nov 1, 2007 6:32 PM CDT

RI Considers Gay Divorce

The Rhode Island Supreme Court will hear arguments today in a case that asks whether a gay couple married elsewhere can get divorced in the state.

Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret…

Oct 9, 2007 2:42 PM CDT

$13.5 M Settlement in Nightclub Fire

Four companies sued in connection with a 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people have agreed to a $13.5 million settlement.

A special master would determine how to…

Sep 6, 2007 2:45 PM CDT

Setbacks in Lead Paint Suits

Lead paint litigation looked promising when a Rhode Island jury last year found paint companies liable for creating a public nuisance.

Since then, a series of rulings shielding paint manufacturers…

Aug 21, 2007 1:07 PM CDT

Did Slur Shake Up Law School Board?

A racial slur admittedly used by the man for whom Roger Williams University’s law school was named has reportedly resulted in the departure of four members of the university’s board…

Jul 16, 2007 8:14 PM CDT

DC Firm Racks Up Big Bill in RI Case

A well-known Washington, D.C., law firm is sending the state of Rhode Island six-figure monthly bills for ongoing representation in a huge environmental clean-up case.

When the state asked Sutherland,…

Jun 12, 2007 1:00 AM CDT

Paradise Lawst

Brian T. Dougan, a litigator at Boston based Gibson & Behman, has become the ultimate island hopper. This spring, Dougan starts splitting his time between offices in Rhode Island and…

May 1, 2007 7:23 PM CDT