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Education
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University of Rhode Island, B.S
Boston University School of Law, J.D
Boston University School of Law, M.S.,
Taxation
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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
United States First Circuit Court of
Appeals
United States Supreme Court
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Professional Affiliations
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Rhode Island Bar Association
Rhode Island Trial Lawyers
Defense Research Institute
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Superior Court Bench Bar Committee
(1978-1985); Chairman (1985-1987)
Federal Court Bench Bar Committee
(1978-2017)
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
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Professional Biography
Joe is a founding partner of Olenn & Penza and one of the most experienced civil trial attorneys in Rhode Island, having conducted well over one hundred jury trials in Rhode Island State and Federal courts. Joe's primary areas of practice include business and commercial litigation, the defense of police officers and municipalities in wrongful death and civil rights cases, and defending attorneys, accountants, and other professionals in malpractice cases. For over 45 years Joe has successfully defended the City of Providence and its police officers against claims involving wrongful death, wrongful arrest, excessive force, and wrongful pursuit.
In addition to his trial work, Joe regularly represents public safety officers, firefighters, and unions in labor disputes, collective bargaining, and disciplinary matters. He has represented thousands of public sector retirees in connection with their retirement benefits. He also maintains an active corporate practice, advising dozens of small and medium-sized businesses in matters including business formation, asset sales, stock purchases, and other commercial transactions.
Joe has dedicated a growing portion of his practice to mediation and alternative dispute resolution, serving as a mediator and arbitrator in a wide array of employment, civil rights, and business disputes.
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View Expanded Bio
Notable Experience and Recognition
Joe was named one of Rhode Island's Top Ten attorneys for the years 2011 and 2013 as published in Super Lawyers Magazine, and has been named a Super Lawyer in the area of professional liability defense litigation in every year since 2008.
Over the course of his career, Joe has won defense verdicts or procured dismissals in hundreds of cases, saving his clients tens of millions of dollars in potential damages.
Joe received the Kent County Bar Association's Attorney of the Year Award in 2004 and the Lawyers' Weekly Attorney of the year award in 2014.
Joe regularly lectures in the areas of police procedure and conduct, Constitutional rights, and professional liability matters at various professional development forums and police academies.
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