Significant Cases

• We are thrilled to announce that Richard S. Humphrey, Esq. is featured in the September/October 2022 edition of the Rhode Island Bar Journal. The article, View Easements and Restrictive Covenants in Rhode Island, surveys relevant Rhode Island case law that was compiled and utilized to bring a long-standing Superior Court case to a victorious disposition.

• Thomas Knudsen, Trustee, et al. v. Gregory DeJean (Opinion) – This is a significant view easement case and the first of its kind to be tried and won in Rhode Island. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial judge’s decision to specifically identify obstructive plants and trees and have them removed by the defendant, thereby clearing the views to the Atlantic Ocean and the Sakonnet River. This was a total victory for the plaintiff, Thomas Knudsen, and enhances the value of his real estate. Click here to read the judge’s opinion.

Significant Cases for Attorney Richard S. Humphrey

Admiralty Salvage

H.R.M., Inc. v. S/V Venture VII

Successfully defended the New York Yacht Club and Dunbar Yachts in a complex federal admiralty action arising from the grounding and salvage of a sailing vessel in Newport Harbor. (D.R.I. 1997)

Bar Admissions: 

1993 – United States District Court (District of Maine)

1993 – State of Maine 

1991 – United States Court of Appeals (First Circuit) 

1990 – Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

1987 – United States Supreme Court 

1984 – United States District Court (District of Rhode Island) 

1983 – State of Rhode Island 

Breach of Construction Contract 

Ongoing litigation involving a quadriplegic 

Dispute of faulty construction work for plaintiff’s disabled son. (Newport Super. Ct.)

Catastrophic Maritime Injury 

Lambert v. N. Parascandolo & Sons, Inc., et al. 

Catastrophic maritime injury resulting in amputation. Multimillion dollar recovery awarded to plaintiff. 

Drunk Driving

State v. Jones

DUI death case before jury. Not guilty on primary charge (Newport Super. Ct.)

Elder Abuse

McGeough 

Successfully represented an 86-year-old property owner relative to a defective deed which led to a successful double legal malpractice claim. (Newport Super. Ct.)  

Environmental

Knudsen v. Dejean, 311 A.3d 102 (R.I. 2024) 

Successfully represented waterfront property owners in enforcing a restrictive covenant protecting historic Sakonnet River views. The firm successfully defended the judgment before the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Fish Trap Cases

Recovered significant damages from two cases involving the United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy. Client’s North Atlantic Ocean Fish Traps were damaged due to negligence. 

Injury – “Jones Act”

23-year-*old female crew member suffered sever injuries during a maritime incident. Successful Jones Act case led to a significant result. (D.R.I. 2025)

Municipal 

Attorney Richard S. Humphrey successfully represented the town of Little Compton as Town Solicitor for 34 years.  

Prosecution

State ex rel. Town of Little Compton v. Simmons, 87 A.3d 412 (R.I. 2014).

Successfully represented the Town of Little Compton before the Rhode Island Supreme Court in a DUI prosecution, obtaining reversal of a District Court decision that had dismissed the charges on jurisdictional grounds. 

Rights to Counsel

State v. Carcieri, 730 A.2d 11 (R.I. 1999)

Successfully argued before the Rhode Island Supreme Court in a case interpreting the statutory rights of DUI arrestees; especially Right to Counsel 

Unauthorized Practice of Law

In the Matter of Town of Little Compton v. Little Compton Firefighters 

Little Compton’s claim of unauthorized practice of law was considered by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.