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One Citizens Plaza, 8th Floor
Providence RI 02903-1345
TEL: 401.274.7200
FAX: 401.751.0604
Practice Areas
Clerkships
  • Law clerk to the late R.I. Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Paolino
Education
  • Suffolk University (J.D., 1976)
  • Salve Regina University (B.A., 1973)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Rhode Island
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit

Victoria M. Almeida is a shareholder at Adler Pollock & Sheehan.  She is Co-Chair of the Firm’s Government Relations, Higher Education and Family Law & Juvenile Justice practice groups.  A seasoned, distinguished and highly awarded attorney with noted successes in high-stakes, precedent-setting cases, Victoria gives her litigation, healthcare, governmental relations and white-collar criminal-defense clients responsive, civil and innovative counsel.  Always remaining accessible, providing prompt attention to pressing problems and avoiding cookie-cutter solutions, she works to minimize her clients’ worry while advancing their business objectives.

Notably, she successfully challenged a Rhode Island law that had required employers to provide health insurance to employees receiving workers' compensation benefits. The precedent-setting decision—affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court—struck down a law that had been considered one of the most controversial and costly for Rhode Island businesses.

Additionally, Victoria’s exemplary professional and civic service includes important posts:  President of the Rhode Island Bar Association; the first woman in Rhode Island history appointed Executive Counsel to a governor; and Vice Chairperson for the Rhode Island Parole Board for 20 years, and is Chairperson of the R.I. Health Services Council, the advisory board to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health which decides those matters involving new health care equipment, new institutional health services, and the licensing of health care facilities.  Recently, the Health Services Council approved Butler Hospital’s proposal to build an $18 million addition to the Providence psychiatric hospital, increasing its total bed capacity to 143.

Significant Matters

  • In a case of first impression, Victoria successfully defended the former Rhode Island Senate President on ethics charges.  The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that the Rhode Island Constitution's speech in debate clause barred the Ethics Commission from charging a legislator for how he or she participated in the legislative process and voted on legislation.
  • She recently represented a business person in a highly sensitive criminal matter, where a conviction would have destroyed his reputation and business.  Within 72 hours she had the case resolved – without a hearing or criminal record for her client. 
  • Victoria successfully defended the Rhode Island Senate in both state and federal court in a voting rights case due to her strategy in successfully identifying and retaining the necessary trial experts  needed to establish the constitutionality of the Rhode Island Senate Redistricting Plan.
  • She served as the trial attorney for an insurance company in the Rhode Island Supreme Court case Corrente v Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 557 A.2d 859, wherein the court held, in a case of first impression, that in a first party claim against an insurer, the bad-faith claim must be bifurcated from the breach-of-contract claim at trial.
  • She successfully challenged a Rhode Island law—resulting in a precedent-setting decision—that had required employers to provide health insurance to employees receiving workers' compensation benefits. The law had been considered one of the most controversial and costly for Rhode Island businesses.  Upheld by U.S. Supreme Court.

Honors & Distinctions

  • In 2010 the R.I. Bar Association established the Victoria M. Almeida Servant Leader Award – the first time in the Bar’s 113 year history that it has named an award in honor of a living member. Victoria received the award on June 10, 2010 at the Bar’s Annual Dinner.
  • Recognized by Lawdragon Magazine as one of the top 3,000 lawyers in the U.S. There are 1.12 million lawyers in the United States.
  • Selected as a New England Super Lawyer, 2011, an honor that recognizes her as a leader in the legal community.
  • Honored by her inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in the East. 
  • Listed in A.M. Best’s Recommended Insurance Attorneys. 
  • AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, highest rating given to attorneys who possess preeminent ethical standards and legal ability
  • Recipient of the 2010 Neil J. Houston, Jr. Memorial Award for dedication, service and citizen contribution to the criminal justice profession and the public interest.
  • Recipient, The Francis Medal, Franciscans of Holy Name Province.
  • Recipient, Rhode Island Bar Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award.
  • Recipient, YWCA of Greater Rhode Island Outstanding Woman Award.
  • Recipient, Alumni Achievement Award: 2003 – Salve Regina  University.
  • Recipient, St. Mary Academy, Bay View – Distinguished Alumna Award.

Professional Affiliations

  • President, R.I. Bar Association 2009-2010.
  • Member, House of Delegates, R.I. Bar Association.
  • Chairperson, R.I. Bar Strategic Planning Committee.
  • Chairperson, R.I. Bar Nominating Committee.
  • Member, Executive Committee, R.I. Bar Association.
  • Member, Editorial Board, R.I. Bar Journal.
  • Member, 2011 Rhode Island District Court Conference Committee.
  • Member, National Conference of Bar Presidents.
  • Member, Board of Directors of New England Bar Association.
  • United States Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Member, The American Law Institute, Washington, D.C.
  • Member, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Felix Franfurter Chapter.
  • Member, American Bar Association, National Pro Bono Celebration Advisory Committee
  • Lifetime Fellow, R.I. Bar Foundation and Member of its Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
  • Member, American Bar Association.
  • Member, Defense Research Institute.
  • Member, Rhode Island Defense Counsel.
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. (NACDL)
  • Member, Panel of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association.

Community & Civic Activity

  • Chairperson, Rhode Island Health Services Council.
  • Vice Chairperson, Rhode Island Parole Board.
  • Member, Rhode Island Commodores.
  • Vice Chairperson, Diocese of Providence School Board.
  • Dame, Order of Malta, Hospitaller, Rhode Island Chapter.
  • Board of Trustees, Salve Regina University
  • Board of Directors, St. Antoine Residence.
  • Board of Trustees, Mount St. Rita Health Center.
  • Member, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.
  • Board of Directors, Poverello Wellness & Food Center, sponsored by the Franciscans of Providence.
  • Board of Directors, St. Thomas More Society.
  • Co-Chair, Anchor of Hope Executive Committee, Diocese of Providence.
  • Chair, Capital Campaign for the Franciscans of the Holy Name Province.

News

Presentations & Events

Publications & Seminars

  • Frequent lecturer and author, in various publications, on trial techniques, legal ethics and insurance law. 
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