Overview

Richard has broad experience in litigation matters where he defends insured and self-insured clients in health care litigation, construction accidents, professional liability, product liability, premises liability, transportation, corrections and community association actions, in addition to director and officer liability matters. He also represents fidelity and surety companies in the litigation of fiduciary/inventory loss and construction disputes.

Skilled in governmental relations and legislative issues, Richard assists domestic and international companies to succeed and grow, in both regulated and deregulated industries including energy and telecommunications, financial services, health care, insurance, retail, real estate development, entertainment and manufacturing.

His considerable energy experience includes representing domestic and foreign energy companies in developing New England generation facilities. He served as lead counsel in the siting of Rhode Island’s largest electric generation plant.

The team at Adler Pollock & Sheehan was great to work with. Richard Beretta was very professional and was able to masterfully navigate the political landscape to get our bill across the finish line. I highly recommend them.

– Daniel Bryant, Legal & Legislative Counsel, Self Storage Association

Education

  • Northeastern University School of Law (J.D., 1989)
  • Tufts University (D.M.D., 1986)
  • College of Holy Cross (A.B., 1982)

Admissions

  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Representative Matters
  • Represented a food manufacturing and distribution company that conducted a nationwide product recall due to salmonella contamination of its products resulting from tainted pepper. Obtained a $33 million judgment against one spice company defendant, resolved all claims against the other spice company and successfully pursued other responsible parties.
  • Represented a community hospital in Superior Court mastership proceeding involving multiple matters including the sale to an out-of-state hospital system.
  • Defended a municipal detention facility in civil rights actions including a well-publicized case arising out of the death of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee.
  • Represents domestic and foreign energy companies in New England generation facilities development.
  • Special counsel to the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority.
  • Represents fidelity and surety companies in litigation of fiduciary/inventory loss and construction disputes.
  • Defends insured and self-insured clients in health care litigation, construction accidents, professional liability, product liability, premises liability, transportation, corrections and community association actions, in addition to director and officer liability matters.
  • A former practicing dentist, Richard often advises the firm’s health care clients on issues of insurance, professional liability and fraud and abuse; represents health care practitioners before state regulatory and licensing boards in a broad range of regulatory and administrative matters.
Seminars / Publications
  • Co-authored the Rhode Island chapter of the ABA Performance Bond Manual.
  • Authors annual Rhode Island Chapter of 50 State Lobbying and Campaign Finance Handbook published by SCGLegal.
Honors
  • Best Lawyers’ 2023 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Providence. 
  • Best Lawyers’ 2022 Lawyer of the Year, Administrative / Regulatory, Providence.
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2007–2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of governmental relations and administrative law.
  • Professional Excellence in the Law, Government and Administrative, Rhode Island Monthly, 2019 – 2023.
  • Best Lawyers’ 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Providence.
  • Best Lawyers’ 2015 Lawyer of the Year, Administrative / Regulatory, Providence.
  • Best Lawyers’ 2013 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Providence.
  • Selected as a Rhode Island Super Lawyer, 2013, 2016 – 2023.
  • AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for attorneys.
Best Lawyers 2024
Lawyer of the Year
RI Monthly
Super Lawyers 2023
Professional Affiliations
  • Director, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
  • Board Member, South Eastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA).
  • Member, American Bar Association’s Governmental, Fidelity/Surety and Energy sections.
  • Defense Research Institute member.
  • Former member, Rhode Island Governor’s Task Force on Insurance.
In the Community
  • Board member, Bradley Hospital Foundation.
  • Former chairman, Gateway Healthcare Foundation, a network of community-based mental-health and child-services providers.
  • Board member, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
  • Former Director, Trinity Repertory Company.
  • Former member, Governing Council, YMCA of Pawtucket.
  • Former chairman, Diocese of Providence School Board.
  • Former board member, American Heart Association.
  • Member of numerous committees for specific fundraising events for a variety of charities.
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