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Education
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Boston College, B.S.
Franklin Pierce Law Center, J.D.
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Clerkship
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Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Frederick
R. DeCesaris, 1986-1988
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Admitted to practice and experience before
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All Rhode Island trial courts
Rhode Island Supreme Court
United States District Court for the
District of Rhode Island
All Massachusetts State Courts
United States District Court for the
District of Massachusetts
United States First Circuit Court of
Appeals
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Professional Affiliations
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Rhode Island Bar Association
Chair, RI Bar Insurance
Programs Committee
Member, RIBA House of Delegates
Member, RIBA Executive Committee
International Association of
Defense Counsel (IADC)
Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island
Former Board of Directors for the
Defense Counsel of Rhode Island
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Professional Biography
Holly has over 35 years of civil litigation experience primarily in the areas of insurance defense, insurance coverage, professional negligence, construction and personal injury. Her experience in litigating construction-related injury and wrongful death claims covers a wide array of risk areas including worksite safety, oversight and training, defective design and construction, negligent maintenance and associated risk transfer issues including contribution, indemnity and other insurance. Holly's professional negligence defense work primarily involves representing other lawyers sued for malpractice involving a variety of underlying practice areas.
Holly also represents both insurance companies and insureds in complex coverage cases involving multi-million dollar policies issued to construction companies, engineers, pharmacies, nightclubs, attorneys, as well as personal line policies, home owner and automobile. Finally, a portion of her practice is dedicated to liquor liability and dram shop cases involving injuries, death and sexual assault.
In addition to handling her own cases, Holly is on the list of approved attorneys serving as guardian ad litem and as a mediator or arbitrator for the Superior Court in Rhode Island.
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View Expanded Bio
Notable Experience and Recognition
Obtained summary judgment for an attorney in a legal malpractice action based on the statute of limitations and other procedural defects.
Obtained summary judgment for a client where the plaintiff's version of events was such that no reasonable finder of fact could find in plaintiff's favor given video footage of the alleged event.
Defended a contractor in a wrongful death action involving allegations of negligent performance and maintenance of a state highway construction project. The deceased attempted to cross an interstate highway which was under construction and fell from a structural beam. Through extensive discovery, Holly was able to resolve the matter at mediation for an amount significantly less than the expected defense costs.
Defended an engineering firm in a wrongful death action involving allegations of negligent design and planning of a state highway construction project. Holly was able to resolve the matter short of trial with her client contributing just 5% of the total settlement.
Obtained a verdict in a declaratory judgment action on behalf of an automobile insurer by proving that the named insured had made material misrepresentations regarding his driving record, resulting in the policy being declared void.
Obtained a judgment for a professional liability insurer in a declaratory judgment action in federal court. The named insured's professional liability policy was declared void based upon his failure to inform the insurer of potential civil claims against him and criminal conduct in misappropriating client funds.
After a jury trial in a Rhode Island superior court, Holly obtained a defense verdict for a large non-profit organization which was sued for premises liability by a participant who sustained a severe knee injury during a league basketball game.
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