Law Offices of Richard S. Humphrey
Approach To Every Complex Challenge
Richard S. Humphrey
Richard S. Humphrey
- Attorney
Biography
The ability to successfully try and win cases is one of the most essential assets I bring to my job. From achieving large financial settlements for our clients to winning Supreme Court cases, I have been trying civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts since 1983. Through my extensive experience, I understand the stress that my clients are under. That's why, when it comes to providing quality representation, my clients' needs always come first.
During my thirty-year career, I have fought hard to obtained favorable verdicts for my clients. During this time I have represented the town of Little Compton and am particularly proud to have represented the Salvation Army in complex litigation matters. I represent individuals in need of first-class legal services as well as charitable institutions, municipalities, and large construction firms.
As well as being an experienced trial lawyer I also lecture on trial practice, ethics, police brutality, legal malpractice, defense, DUI, and municipal matters. Community is an important part of why I serve - I have served on the Rhode Island Judicial Tenure Commission, the Rhode Island Supreme Court Commission to Redraft the Rules of Professional Conduct, and on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board.
Education
- University of New Hampshire - Franklin Law Center, Concord, New Hampshire
- Juris Doctor, 1980-1983
- Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts, 1976-1980
- Tiverton High School, Tiverton, Rhode Island, 1972- 1976
Certified Legal Specialties
Classes & Seminars
- Rhode Island Bar Association, Lecturer, 2014
- Rhode Island Bar Association, Introduction to the Practice of Law for new attorneys, 2010 to 2012
- Handling The Police Liability Claim, 2011
- Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 10, 2010 and June 11, 2010
- Office of Highway Safety, "Putting The Brakes On D.U.I.", 2006
- Bristol, Rhode Island Police Department, "Strategies in Criminal Prosecutions", 2005
- Federal Taxation Institute, "Malpractice in Tax Practice-How to Avoid It; What to do if you are Sued", 2002
- Rhode Island Bar Association, "Current Issues Involving DWI and Refusal Cases", 2001
- Maritime Law Society, Roger Williams University School of Law, 2000
- Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc., 1998 and 1999
- Rhode Island Bar Association, "Strategies in Handling DWI and Refusal Cases", 1998
- Office of Public Defender, "How to Avoid Malpractice Claims and Disciplinary Complaints", 1998
- Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, 1998, 1996, 1995 and 1993
- National Business Institute, Inc. "Practical Legal Ethics in Rhode Island", 1997
- Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyers "Defending the Drunk Driver: An Update", 1997
- Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association "Defending Drunk Drivers", 1996
- Lorman Business Center, "Expert Witnesses", 1995, 1996
- Lorman Business Center, "Strategies in Handling DWI Cases", 1995
- Providence Police Academy, 1995
- Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & Roger Williams University School of Law "Defending the Drunk Driver", 1994
- Rhode Island Bar Association "Is Your Practice Safe? Avoiding Legal Malpractice and Ethics Complaints Through Effective Risk Management", 1994
- Rhode Island State Police Academy, 1994
- Rhode Island Bar Association "Avoiding the Black Hole of Malpractice", 1993
- Rhode Island Judicial Conference "Conducting The DWI Trial", 1993
- Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, 1993,1995, 1996
Pro-Bono Activities
Representative Clients
- G. Lopes Construction, Inc.
- J.G. Edwards Construction Company
- Tiverton & Little Compton Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
- Town of Little Compton
Bar Admissions
- Rhode Island, 1983
- Massachusetts, 1990
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
- U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island, 1984
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1991
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1991
- Maine, 1993
- U.S. District Court District of Maine, 1993
Honors
- Rhode Island Super Lawyer 2008 - Present
Ancillary Businesses
References
- G. Lopes Construction, Inc., 565 Winthrop St., Taunton, MA 02780
- J.G. Edwards Construction Co., P.O. Box 274, Portsmouth, RI 02871
- H.W. Ellis, Inc., 21 Lark Industrial Pkwy., Smithfield, RI 02828
- Jane P. Cabot, Pres., Little Compton Town Council, Little Compton, RI
Past Positions
- Law Offices of Richard S. Humphrey, Associate Attorney, 02/85-Present
- Dolbashian, Chappell, Chace & Forte Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 11/83-01/85
Professional Associations
- Rhode Island Bar Foundation-Board of Directors, 2010-2012
- Brownell House Trust - Trustee, 2012-2018
- Rhode Island Superior Court Mediator, 1995
- Rhode Island Supreme Court-Approved List of Municipal Arbitrators, 1993
- Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc.-Panel of Arbitrators, 1992-1999
- Rhode Island Builder's Association-Arbitrator/Mediator, 1991
- Superior Court Arbitration Program-Arbitrator, 1989 - Present
- American Arbitration Association-Construction Industry Panel of Arbitrators, 1988-1996; 1999-2005
- University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, 2020 - Present
- Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority (Vice-chairman, 2016-2021), 2014 to 2019
- Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board (Vicechairman, 2015-2016), 2010-2016
- Supreme Court Committee to Revise the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2002 - 2005
- Special Counsel, Town of Charlestown, RI Planning Board, 2001
- Member, Supreme Court Committee to Study the Question of Specialization of Attorneys and Certification of Competence in Such Specialties, 2000 to 2001
- Rhode Island Bar Association, House of Delegates, 2002 to 2006
- Member, Rules Committee-Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, 1999 to Present
- Special Prosecutor, Town of Warren, RI, 1999
- Member, Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline, 1995 to 2001
- Panel Member, Rhode Island Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluation Program, 1994
- Special Prosecutor, Town of Portsmouth, RI, 1993 and 1999
- Town Solicitor, Town of Little Compton, RI, 1988-1990, 1992 - Present
- Bail Commissioner, Newport County, RI, 1987 to 1995
- Justice of the Peace, 1986 to 1995
- Special Prosecutor, City of Newport, RI, 1987 and 1996
- Assistant Town Solicitor, Town of Portsmouth, RI, 1985 to 1986
Practice Areas
- DUI Defense
- Criminal Law
- Insurance
- Personal Injury
- Admiralty Law
- Litigation
- Legal Malpractice
- Construction Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Professional Discipline
Published Works
- Richard has published at least 14 Bar Review articles and has recently served as Editor of the book styled Trying DUI Cases in Rhode Island.
- Anonyous Tips and Reasonable Suspicion for Motor Vehicle Stops, Rhode Island Bar Journal, November/December 2014. Author.
- A Practical Guide to Trying DUI Cases in Rhode Island, 2011, Author/Editor.
- Seven Cases Every Rhode Island DUI Practioner Should Know, Rhode Island Bar Journal, November/December 2010. Author.
- How to Handle Your First DWI Refusal Case, Rhode Island Bar Journal, May/June 2009. Co-author.
- Choices Facing Clients Accused of Drunk Driving, Rhode Island Bar Journal, March/April 2008. Author.
- The Potential Impact of State v. Delbonis on Prior Drunk Driving Convictions from 2000 to 2003, Rhode Island Bar Journal, May/June 2005. Co-author.
- The Prosecution and Defense of Chemical Test Refusal Cases, Rhode Island Bar Journal, November/December 2004. Co- author.
- Drunk Driving Statutes: Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Rhode Island Bar Journal, November 2001. Co-author.
- Drunk Driving: Recent Developments in the Law, Rhode Island Bar Journal, May 1999. Co-author.
- The Thickening Briar Patch of Legal Malpractice, Rhode Island Bar Journal, April 1998. Co-author.
- What to Do If You Get Sued For Legal Malpractice, Rhode Island Bar Journal, October 1995.
- Checklist for the Prosecution: How to Prove a DWI, Rhode Island Bar Journal, March 1995.
- Drunk Driving Law Update, Rhode Island Bar Journal, October, 1994. Co-author.
- Punishment Before Conviction -- The Effect of Automatic PostArrest Incarceration for Drunk Driving, Rhode Island Bar Journal, May 1993.
- Defending Dual Prosecutions - The Driver Who Has Refused the Chemical Test, Rhode Island Bar Journal, April 1992.
- The Midnight Call - Advising the Client to Submit to a Chemical Test, Rhode Island Bar Journal, March 1991.
Representative Cases
- International Broth. of Police Officers, Local No. 302 v. Town of Portsmouth, 506 A.2d 540, 1986, R.I., 1986114425
- Newport Auto Salvage, Inc. v. Town Council of Town of Portsmouth Acting as Bd. of License Com'rs, 502 A.2d 339, 1985, R.I., 1985162541