Joseph F. Penza, Jr. — Founding Partner
Specialty:
- More than 35 years of trial experience in state and federal courts.
- Wide experience in mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
- Lecturer for police and Human Relations Commission seminars.
Education:
- University of Rhode Island, B.S
- Boston University School of Law, J.D
- Boston University School of Law, M.S., Taxation
Admitted to practice and experience before:
- All Rhode Island trial courts
- Rhode Island Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
- United States First Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Professional Affiliations:
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Rhode Island Trial Lawyers
- Defense Research Institute
- Superior Court Bench Bar Committee (1978-1985); Chairman (1985-1987)
- Federal Court Bench Bar Committee (1978-present)
- Committee member charged with amending the Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure (1992-1994)
- One of twenty attorneys serving as a mediator in the United States District Court's Alternate Dispute Resolution Program (1995-Present)
- Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel (1995-2000); Chairman 1999-2000
Honors and Societies:
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- Advocate of the American Board of Trial Lawyers
Personal:
Outside the office, and when the weather permits, Joe indulges his love of golf. Prior to being bitten by this bug, his passion was softball. He played the game for 30 years and coached youth programs for 15 years. He served on the Amateur Softball Association’s national board of directors from 1985 to 1995 and was President of the Rhode Island Amateur Softball Association 1977-1995. He has two grown children and lives in Warren, RI.