Victoria is Co-Chair of the firm’s Government Relations Practice Group. A distinguished and highly awarded attorney with noted successes in high-stakes, precedent-setting cases, Victoria gives her litigation, health care, 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 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; Vice Chairperson for the Rhode Island Parole Board for 20 years and 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 the sale of Landmark Medical Center, a 214 bed hospital located in Woonsocket, RI to Prime Healthcare Services.
Adler Pollock & Sheehan is a strong firm. They worked and partnered with me until everything was resolved to my satisfaction. Victoria Almeida was a constant professional, and demonstrated her true understanding of the law and my rights as a client. She is an extremely talented and gifted lawyer, I have highly recommended Adler Pollock & Sheehan and Victoria Almeida to my clients and friends.
Education
- Suffolk University Law School (J.D., 1976)
- Salve Regina University (B.A., 1973)
Admissions
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- 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.
- Frequent lecturer and author, in various publications, on trial techniques, legal ethics and insurance law.
- Received Hall of Fame Award from Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law, 2021.
- Selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2018 – 2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Government Relations Law, Health Care Law and Litigation – Insurance.
- Best Lawyers’ 2022 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Providence.
- Best Lawyers’ 2019 Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Providence. Vicky is the only women in R.I. to be chosen for this award.
- Professional Excellence in the Law, Government and Administrative, Rhode Island Monthly, 2019.
- 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 in 2009 as one of the top 3,000 lawyers in the U.S.
- Selected as a Rhode Island Super Lawyer, 2011-2022.
- 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, its highest rating for attorneys.
- 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.
- Recipient, 2017 Crime Victim Services Award, presented by RI Attorney General.
- President, R.I. Bar Association 2009-2010.
- Member, House of Delegates, R.I. Bar Association.
- Chairperson, R.I. Bar Strategic Planning Committee.
- Member, Editorial Board, R.I. Bar Journal.
- 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, Federal Bar Association.
- Member, Defense Research Institute.
- Member, Rhode Island Defense Counsel.
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association.
- Chairperson, Rhode Island Health Services Council.
- Vice Chairperson, Rhode Island Parole Board.
- Member, Rhode Island Commodores.
- Chair, Board of Directors, R.I. Legal Services
- Dame, Order of Malta, Chair, Rhode Island Chapter.
- Board of Trustees, Salve Regina University.
- Member, Board of Directors, ReFocus
- Board of Directors, St. Antoine Residence.
- Member, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.
- Board of Directors, St. Thomas More Society.
- Co-Chair, Anchor of Hope Executive Committee, Diocese of Providence.
