Experienced Litigation And Appellate Representation

The lawyers at Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC have successfully represented clients in high-profile litigation and appellate matters in state, federal and circuit courts throughout the United States for more than 30 years. The use of technology-based discovery methods, consultants and paralegals during the discovery phase allows us to manage litigation matters in a cost-effective manner.

When a jury verdict is unsatisfactory, it is important to seek the services of a competent and highly skilled appellate attorney. We provide experienced trial and appellate lawyers who have handled significant appeals at all levels their entire careers. Our attorneys provide advocacy skills and the services required to increase the potential for success at the appellate level. Effective advocacy requires a different skill set than that of a trial lawyer, and we provide both for our clients. Our appellate lawyers work closely with trial counsel in developing a strategy for the appeal and presenting arguments to the appellate court.

For more detailed information about our litigation practice, please review a select number of our  representative cases below. For a consultation about any type of litigation need, please contact us at 401-824-5100 or toll free at 866-353-3310 or contact us online.

Representative Cases

Labor, Employment And General Litigation

William E. O’Gara has successfully tried numerous employment discrimination cases arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act, state and federal civil rights laws, wage and overtime laws, whistleblower protection acts, and state and federal labor laws. He has also handled matters involving complex directors and officers (D&O) coverage issues, including a current case arising in the context of an insolvency proceeding; wrongful termination and retaliation cases; and a major product liability case arising out of a tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Brian J. Lamoureux has successfully handled numerous complex commercial litigation disputes and was lead counsel in one of the only certified class actions in Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court.

In a high-profile federal court case, William E. O’Gara and Brian J. Lamoureux successfully obtained dismissal of a municipal employee’s civil rights claims against the City of Cranston.

Brian J. Lamoureux successfully obtained court approval on behalf of a nonprofit client that allows the client to use millions of dollars for philanthropic purposes.

In a complex construction matter, Brian J. Lamoureux obtained a satisfactory settlement on behalf of a client regarding a defective wastewater treatment process after having demanded arbitration against the client’s vendor. As a result of the settlement, the client’s wastewater treatment system was successfully repaired by the vendor.

Breach Of Contract/Title Insurance Litigation

William P. Devereaux has been involved in a variety of civil litigation matters, including a trespass and title case involving a complex dispute between corporate owners and occupiers of land. He was also lead counsel in the defense of the Narragansett Indian Tribe in a breach of contract action brought by a large national gaming company.

Property Damages Litigation

William E. O’Gara has successfully represented clients in federal court on breach of contract claims arising out of multimillion-dollar property damage claims.

Government Investigations

William P. Devereaux successfully handled the representation of a local hospital that was investigated by the FBI for honest services fraud allegations involving the former CEO’s hiring of a part-time state senator as well as Medicaid fraud allegations. He negotiated the first Deferred Prosecution Agreement involving a health care provider in the country.

He represented employees of Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. in a grand jury investigation.

He represented the speaker of the House of Representatives in a state grand jury investigation regarding alleged fraud in a workers’ compensation insurance matter. The representation resulted in no indictments.

He represented the president of the Rhode Island State Senate in a federal grand jury investigation involving certain regional banks. The representation resulted in no indictments.

Fire Loss Litigation

William E. O’Gara defended a manufacturer of machinery in connection with a multimillion-dollar fire loss claim.

General Insurance Defense

William P. Devereaux defended a corporate client in Massachusetts Superior Court in the wrongful death case of a teenager. He has also successfully defended a national insurance company in coverage denial claims.

Surety/Construction Matters

Brian J. Lamoureux successfully defended various surety clients with respect to complex construction disputes, many involving public projects. In one case, Mr. Lamoureux successfully briefed and argued a novel issue of law before the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, Firemen’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Todesca et al., 310 F.3d 32 (1st Cir. 2002).

Breach Of Contract/Defective Design Litigation

Our legal team is currently representing a large mechanical contractor in connection with a multimillion-dollar damages claim arising out of defective design specifications and breach of contract. The contract arose out of bidding for a state construction project and thus required our litigation team to use its knowledge of and experience with the inner workings of construction litigation and government procurement in general.

Rhode Island Government Litigation And Representation

William E. O’Gara represented the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island, a legal entity subordinate to the Rhode Island General Treasurer’s Office, on numerous matters that have been litigated before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Rhode Island Superior Court.

Public Contract Bid Protest Litigation

Brian J. Lamoureux recently defeated a public bid protest claim against the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, brought by a losing bidder on a multimillion-dollar public water project.

Environmental Matters

William P. Devereaux, a former assistant attorney general for the state of Rhode Island, was the first state prosecutor to head the environmental crimes unit. Since he has been in private practice, he has handled both civil and criminal cases involving issues regarding storing, transporting and disposing of hazardous waste materials. In the civil context, he successfully represented a local fire district whose property was contaminated by an oil company, a metal recycling facility investigated by state and federal authorities for alleged civil and criminal violations, and a Rhode Island waste hauler who had been sued by the U.S. government.

Rhode Island Government Litigation

William P. Devereaux successfully defended the Rhode Island Lottery Commission in a highly publicized case in which the former executive director alleged wrongful termination and certain pension benefits. Mr. Devereaux also successfully defended Cigna Insurance Co. and the University of Rhode Island in an action alleging gender discrimination and anti-trust violations in the administration of the university’s health services plan.

Attorneys Handling Breach of Contract/Title Insurance Litigation

William P. Devereaux handled the litigation of a trespass and title case involving a complex dispute between corporate owners and occupiers of land. Mr. Devereaux achieved a significant victory when the judge denied the plaintiffs’ ability to seek punitive damages after a lengthy hearing.

He defended the Narragansett Indian Tribe in a breach of contract action brought by a large national gaming company.

Property Damages Litigation

William P. Devereaux successfully handled a property damage claim initially brought by the U.S. trustee in bankruptcy against a large corporate warehousing facility.

General Insurance Defense

William P. Devereaux successfully defended a corporate client in Massachusetts Superior Court in the wrongful death case of a teenager. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

He represented a national insurance company in several successful cases during a multiyear period concerning the denial of insurance coverage due to fraud and failure of the insured to cooperate.