Litigation
Click here for current COVID-19 information and resources relating to Litigation.
The litigators at Partridge Snow & Hahn offer effective and assertive representation to a broad range of clients in both state and federal courts as well as before arbitrators and administrative agencies, including state commissions and local boards. We are committed to providing the highest level of advocacy on behalf of our clients.
Our approach is to provide the very best counsel to our clients in all phases of litigation, which includes activities designed to avoid litigation, to expeditiously resolve litigation where appropriate, and to vigorously and efficiently prepare for and try cases in court.
Our litigators experience runs the spectrum and reflects a breadth and depth of experience in all forms of trial work and in matters that are important to our clients (including bet the business disputes). We are not just litigators but trial lawyers who have experience trying cases in both state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We are recognized as a go-to law firm for important disputes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and are often retained by clients represented by some of the leading law firms around the world when their disputes take them to our back yards – where we are not only experienced, we are also well-known and respected by the bench and the bar.
Though many of our lawyers have particularized experience in different areas of the law, we value and have maintained flexibility across the firm’s many practice areas to not only serve our clients when disputes arise but, in appropriate circumstances, to prevent disputes or issues from becoming litigation. We have advised clients and litigated in contractual and commercial matters, environmental, energy, real estate, and land use, labor and employment matters, construction, health care, antitrust, Constitutional law, unfair trade practice cases, admiralty and maritime law, as well as banking, and intellectual property actions.
Representing Private and Public Business
We routinely represent publicly and privately held businesses, financial institutions, colleges and universities, hospitals, insurance companies, and governmental agencies.
Working as a team, both internally and with the client, we utilize the full resources of the Firm’s many practice areas to give responsive services to meet our clients’ varied needs.
"All of them are very good and can make decisions on their own. They have big-firm experience, but can apply it to a small-firm environment, something that we appreciate."
Client Comment -Chambers and Partners USA
Honors
- Ranked as a leading firm in the practice of Commercial Litigation in Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Ranked by Best Lawyers in America as a Best Law Firm in the area of Litigation including Bankruptcy, Commercial, Banking & Finance, Labor & Employment, and Tax.
- Ranked by Benchmark Litigation as a leading commercial litigation firm in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Covid-19 Litigation Advisory
- August 3, 2020 - PS&H partner Paul Kessimian contributes his knowledge and insight in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island's first Virtual Litigation Academy video titled, How to Conduct a Bench Trial via Zoom. In the video, Mr. Kessimian and other practitioners and court personnel discuss the technical and logistical aspects of preparing for a court appearance via zoom, including the preparation of witness. Then, there is a mock examination of witnesses (both cross and direct exam) before Judge William E. Smith of the U.S. District Court. Lastly, a panel of experts—including Judge Smith, Chief Judge John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court, and Judge Brian P. Stern of the Rhode Island Superior Court—discuss their views on trial proceedings conducted via Zoom. The full video is available to view here: https://youtu.be/IH56DQVkGqQ
- July 20, 2020 - COVID-19 - Commercial Contract Litigation, hosted by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) on July 20, 2020 regarding likely trends in commercial contract litigation in light of COVID-19. The panel, including PS&H partner Paul Kessimian, discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and related stay-at-home orders potential effects on breach of contract actions concerning goods and services and reviewed contractual and UCC issues that judges could expect to find in such cases. The entire webinar can be viewed by choosing July webinars here.
Litigation
Representative Publications
The Supreme Court Teaches A Lesson In Passive Non-Aggression: City of Chicago v. Fulton
RI Supreme Court Decision to Impact Real Estate, Title and Mortgage Industries
One Epic Year Later: Have You Implemented A Mandatory Arbitration Agreement Yet?
Lending Industry Take Note: U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Scope of Right to Sue Under Federal Fair Housing Act
Supreme Court Decision On Arbitration Clauses Could Significantly Reduce Employer Exposure to Class Claims
Got A Priority Bankruptcy Claim? Nothing To Worry About Then, Right? Wrong.
Hold the (cell) phone! NFL Lawsuit May Hinge on Spoliation
Harsh & Costly Lesson from Unilateral Use of E-Discovery Tools
"New Standard for Environmental Assessments Gaining Traction"
Representative Speaking Engagements
PS&H Counsel Suzanne Elovecky Presents Getting the Benefit of the Bargain in Breach of Contract Claims
Christian R. Jenner and Paul M. Kessimian Present at the Rhode Island Bar Association 2021 Annual Meeting
Paul Kessimian Shares Insights in Virtual Litigation Academy Video
PS&H Partner Paul Kessimian Speaks at National Center for State Courts Webinar
PS&H Partners Michael Gamboli and Paul Kessimian Speak at Rhode Island Bar Association 2018 Annual Meeting
Recognitions
PS&H Counsel Chris Wildenhain Among Providence Business News' 2022 40 Under Forty Winners
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Partridge Snow & Hahn
Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP Announces New Co-Managing Partners
Partridge Snow & Hahn Adds Four New Partners in 2022
Partridge Snow & Hahn Named in Benchmark Litigation's 2022 Rankings and Stars
PS&H Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Paul M. Kessimian Elected to President-Elect of Defense Counsel of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Monthly Recognizes PS&H Attorneys in 15 Practice Areas
Chambers USA 2021 Recognizes Partridge Snow & Hahn
Partridge Snow & Hahn Attorneys Recognized in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Partridge Snow & Hahn Attorneys Recognized in Professional Excellence Law Issue In Rhode Island Monthly
Chambers USA 2020 Recognizes Partridge Snow & Hahn
Joshua D. Xavier Appointed to Panel Assessing U.S. Magistrate Judges
Partridge Snow & Hahn Elects Christian Jenner To Partner and René Moniz To Counsel
Paul Kessimian Elected to Secretary of Rhode Island Chapter of Federal Bar Association
Partridge Snow & Hahn Named in Benchmark Litigation's 2020 Rankings and Stars
Partridge Snow & Hahn Attorneys Named Lawyers Of The Year And Best Lawyers In America 2020
PS&H Partner Paul Kessimian Elected Vice President Of Defense Counsel
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Partridge Snow & Hahn in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Partridge Snow & Hahn Welcomes Christian R. Jenner in Providence
Partridge Snow & Hahn Named in Benchmark Litigation's 2019 Rankings and Stars
Partridge Snow & Hahn Welcomes Elizabeth Manchester & Sheridan King
Partridge Snow & Hahn Attorneys Have Been Named to the 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Partridge Snow & Hahn Recognized in Chambers USA 2018 In Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Best Lawyers in America 2018 Names PS&H Providence Attorneys Bernardo, Gamboli, Gilden, Merten and McCarthy "Lawyers of the Year"
Steven E. Snow Named Lawyer of the Year
Paul Kessimian named a winner of Benchmark Litigation Under 40 Hot List - 2016
Partridge Snow & Hahn attorneys have been named to the 2017 edition of Best Lawyers in America®
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Elects 2016 – 2017 Officers and Board Members at Annual Meeting
Litigation
Related Attorneys
Chair
Paul M. Kessimian, Co-Managing Partner
Partners
Suzanne Elovecky
Michael A. Gamboli
Jeffrey H. Gladstone
Christian R. Jenner
Travis J. McDermott
Howard Merten
Alicia J. Samolis
Randall T. Weeks, Jr.
Counsel
Daniel E. Burgoyne
Neil B. Smola
Christopher M. Wildenhain
Senior Counsel
Steven E. Snow
Of Counsel
Robert K. Taylor
Staff Attorney
Wendy A. Waller
Associates
Hannah Y. Amadei
Daniel J. Marran
Joshua D. Xavier