We think that our people set us apart. Our culture is warm, familial, and conducive to brainstorming and idea sharing. While we're small enough to have a highly developed concept of teamwork, we're large enough to have won the confidence of major companies.

•   J. Renn Olenn
•   Joseph F. Penza, Jr.
•   Michael J. Colucci
•   Holly Remington Rao
•   Michael T. Prew
•   Martin K. DeMagistris
•   Krista J. Schmitz
•   Jeffrey W. Kasle
•   Connor D. Holliday, Esq.

Whatever your needs, you'll find us fully focused on finding the very best solution to your problem. Olenn & Penza, LLP has received the highest rating by the independent legal rating agency, Martindale-Hubbell. We strive to make every single one of our clients, large or small, feel that they are our only client.

•   Admiralty & Marine
•   Business Transactions & Litigation
•   Construction
•   Insurance
•   Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation
•   Personal Injury
•   Police, Fire & other Labor
•   Probate & Estates
•   Professional Liability
•   Real Estate
Olenn & Penza Partner Krista J. Schmitz
Krista J. Schmitz
Partner

Tel:  401-737-3700   •   Fax:  401-737-5499   •   Email

Education

  • Northeastern University, B.S.
  • Northeastern University, M.S.
  • Suffolk University School of Law, J.D.
  • Admitted to practice
    and experience before

  • All Rhode Island trial courts
  • United States District Court for the
         District of Rhode Island
  • United States District Court for the
         District of Massachusetts
  • United States First Circuit Court of
         Appeals
  • All Massachusetts state courts
  • Professional Affiliations

  • Rhode Island Bar Association
  • Vice President of the Kent County
         Bar Association
  • Member of the Woman's Bar Association
  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
         Committee Chair for the RI Bar
         Association, 2020-2021; 2021-22
  • Professional Biography

    Krista J. Schmitz has been a litigator with Olenn & Penza since joining the firm in 2008. Krista represents individuals, insurers, businesses, and municipalities, in litigation in all Rhode Island and Massachusetts trial courts. Currently, Krista's practice is focused on insurance defense, personal injury, employment, and municipal contract disputes and litigation. In addition to her trial work, Krista has resolved numerous cases in a variety of areas through alternative dispute resolution procedures including arbitration and mediation.

    In addition to handling her own caseload, Krista has researched, drafted, and argued hundreds of procedural and dispositive motions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Courts in a variety of types of cases including civil rights, wrongful death, legal malpractice, and personal injury cases.

    View Expanded Bio

    Notable Experience and Recognition

    Krista won a defense verdict for a Rhode Island municipality against a waste disposal company that contested the town's award of a municipal contract to a competitor.

    Krista recovered $1 million on behalf of a client injured in a slip and fall accident due to an accumulation of ice and snow. After suit was filed and extensive discovery completed, the case ultimately settled short of trial.

    While attending law school, Krista worked in the Uniform Commercial Code Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office where she assisted in implementing revised Article 9 filing guidelines.

    Krista was recognized by her peers as a 2013-2018 Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine.

    OLENN & PENZA, LLP   Attorneys at Law Practicing in RI and MA
    530 Greenwich Avenue     •     Warwick, RI 02886     •     Phone 401-737-3700     •     Fax 401-737-5499     •     Disclaimer     •     Send us an email
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