Overview
Colten is a member of Adler Pollock & Sheehan’s litigation department, where he focuses his practice on maritime law, financial services litigation, complex business and commercial disputes, election law, and sophisticated land use contests. He represents clients at all stages of litigation—from pre-suit investigation through jury trials and appeals—before a variety of decisionmakers, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Supreme Court, Coastal Resources Management Council, and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
During law school, Colten gained invaluable experience as a full-academic-year extern for the Honorable Bruce M. Selya of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and as an intern for Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Additionally, he served as the Executive Articles Editor for the Roger Williams University Law Review and as a student editor for the Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce.
Before transitioning to law, Colten spent five years at sea as a navigation officer aboard 600-foot commercial tankers in Alaska. When not aboard the ship, he worked with competitive sailboat racing programs and yachts, gaining firsthand maritime experience that now informs the advice he provides to clients. His unique background gives him a practical, industry-informed perspective when advocating for clients’ interests in maritime and commercial matters alike.
Credentials
- Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2023)
- United States Merchant Marine Academy (B.S., 2015)
- Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
