PROFESSIONAL Excellence | L AW
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE IN LAW RHODE ISLAND 2021 HONOREES
Kristin N . Matsko Orson & Brusini Ltd orsonandbrusini . com
Anthony R . Mignanelli Mignanelli & Associates Ltd mignanelli . com
Kristen Prull Moonan Moonan Stratton & Waldman LLP mswri . com See profile on page 79
Bridget L . Mullaney Cameron & Mittleman LLP cm-law . com See profile on page 73
Sarah B . Oster Oster Law Offices osterlawoffices . com
David T . Riedel Adler Pollock & Sheehan PC apslaw . com
Lynn E . Riley Cameron & Mittleman LLP cm-law . com See profile on page 73
Colin O . Sherer Burnett & Sherer LLC burnettsherer . com
Amy Stratton Moonan Stratton & Waldman LLP mswri . com See profile on page 79
Amanda E . Tarzwell Law Office of Gayle F Tarzwell tarzwelllaw . com
WORKERS COMPENSATION Robyn Factor Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum kirshenbaumri . com See profile on page 75
Tom Ford Tom Ford Law tomfordlaw . com
Charles Garganese Law Offices of Charles Garganese Jr LLC garganeselaw . com
Lawrence J . Signore The Law Offices of Lawrence J Signore therhodelawyer . com See profile on page 81
John A . Toro Toro Law Offices PC torolaw . com
YOUNG LAWYER LESS THAN 5 YEARS IN PRACTICE Matthew A . Chappell Chappell & Chappell chappellandchappelllaw . com
Julia R . Shackleton Barton Gilman LLP bglaw . com
Justin S . Smith Nixon Peabody LLP nixonpeabody . com
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80 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JUNE 2021
Spirit of the Law
It ’ s no secret that the pandemic has had a profound effect on us all . During these times of uncertainty , many of us have sought legal services and advice to better navigate and deal with our new and ever-changing realities . We asked some of our 2021 Excellence in Law recipients to share the unique situations their clients faced due to COVID-19 along with how they were able to help them through such difficult times .
FAMILY LAW “ There have been a number of disputes between divorced or separated parents relative to COVID-19 protocol for their children . These include parents quarantining children and denying the other parent visitation , disputes over vacations during the pandemic , disputes over distance learning vs . returning to in-person schooling and just general disagreements about children being exposed to third parties .” — Jesse Nason , Partner at Kirshenbaum and Kirshenbaum , kirshenbaumri . com
WORKERS ’ COMP “ In my practice , there is a heightened concern of a person losing their job if they make a workers ’ compensation claim . Employees are continuing to work despite any injury they may have suffered .” — Robyn Factor , Partner at Kirshenbaum and Kirshenbaum , kirshenbaumri . com
“ Several clients reported working more hours and performing tasks that they would otherwise not necessarily perform due to coworker absences . This may account for some of the work-related injuries we have seen .” — Charles Garganese , Law Offices of Charles Garganese , Jr ., garganeselaw . com
WILLS / ESTATE “ I noticed a marked increase in wills , trusts and powers of attorney both in general and health care . We relied heavily on Zoom meetings with clients and for court hearings , and we worked collaboratively with document preparation .” — George J . West , Attorney and Counsellor at George J . West and Associates , georgejwestlawfirm . com
“ Estate Planning is one of the few areas that require clients to execute documents and have them witnessed and notarized in person . Embracing the new rules as to remote notary and document witnessing has been a challenge . Meeting with clients and ensuring proper safety protocols has also been challenging . However , we have managed to develop systems and processes that allow our clients to execute their plan documents in a safe and compliant manner .” — Matthew J . Leonard , Esq ., Attorney at RI Medicaid Planning , rimedicaidplanning . com
IMMIGRATION “ Many of my clients live in urban centers that are population-dense . They also happen to work in industries that are deemed essential . Unfortunately for them , practicing COVID-safety is not always feasible . For those who are immigration clients , a lot of the time they do not qualify for the benefits which help stopgap wage losses , etc . I have lost a few clients to COVID-19 , and I have definitely felt the burden of representing such a vulnerable population over the past year .” — Joseph Flynn , Founder of Molina Flynn Law Offices , molinaflynn . com
PERSONAL INJURY “ Many courts shut down and canceled their regular civil calendars during the lockdown , in addition to delaying nearly all significant jury trials . This has caused a serious delay for injury cases being presented to juries . The courts have slowly pivoted to virtual hearings , which has helped cases move forward . Still , it will be a long time before the courts , judges and civilian jurors feel comfortable sitting for trials . Our firm looks forward to later this year or 2022 for trials to resume . However , at that point , there will be a two-year backlog to address .” — Marshall M . Raucci , Attorney at Lynch and Pine , lynchpine . com