LAWYERS

Vincent F. Ragosta, Jr.

Vin has practiced law since 1979 with a focus on labor and employment litigation, arbitration and mediation. He is devoted to representing private and public employers, including manufacturers, retailers, law firms, health care providers, state and municipal governments, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, school departments, colleges, universities and libraries.

For decades Vin has successfully prosecuted all of Rhode Island’s high-profile police misconduct disciplinary cases, other varieties of employment disciplinary proceedings, and public employee pension revocation litigation.

When not advocating for his clients, Vin presides as a factfinder, mediator and arbitrator, with a proven track record of bringing closure to seemingly intractable civil cases involving negligence, products liability, medical and legal malpractice, employment discrimination, shareholder rights, construction, defamation and diverse property disputes.

Employers frequently call upon Vin to conduct fair, balanced and thorough investigations to address allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination, misconduct or ethical lapses.

Education

Boston College, B.A. magna cum laude 1976
Gonzaga University School of Law J.D. 1979

Bar Admissions

Rhode Island Supreme Court 1979
United States District Court, Judicial District of Rhode Island 1979
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 1983
United States Supreme Court 2001

Honors and Awards

AV, Preeminent Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell Highest Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
2021 Inducted in Hall of Fame of Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, Excellence in the Law
Eagle Scout, BSA 1970

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Timothy M. Bliss, Of Counsel

After graduating from law school in 1999, Tim Bliss has practiced employment and labor law and general civil litigation with both small and large Rhode Island law firms. Since launching his own practice in 2016, he has continued to provide counsel and represent public and private employers and individuals in litigation in state and federal courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Tim also represents many municipalities and related entities in labor matters, including collective bargaining and arbitration. Tim is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Labor and Employment Law section of the Federal Bar Association, is the president-elect of the Rhode Island Chapter of the FBA and is formerly the chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Committee of the Rhode Island Bar Association. He is also the author of the Rhode Island chapter of the 50 State New Laws Compendium published annually by the Defense Research Institute.

Education

Wheaton College, Norton MA, magna cum laude, 1996
University of Notre Dame Law School, 1999, Journal of College & University Law, Articles Editor

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, 1999
Rhode Island, 2000
U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, 2001
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, 2005
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 2006

D. Peter DeSimone, Of Counsel

After graduating from law school in 1994, Peter clerked for The Honorable Robert G. Flanders, Jr. of the Rhode Island Supreme Court for one year and thereafter clerked in the Rhode Island Supreme Court Trial Court Law Clerk pool for two years, where he worked frequently on the dispositive civil motion calendar but also performed extensive legal research and writing services in complex areas of civil, criminal, family, administrative, and zoning law. He also prepared written bench memoranda and drafted judicial decisions. Upon leaving service in the Rhode Island judiciary, he began practicing on his own with a focus on providing research and writing services to other attorneys as well as to servicing clients directly.

Education

Hofstra University School of Law, 1994, Juris Doctor, Research Editor, Hofstra Law Review, University of Rhode Island, summa cum laude, 1990, 
Bachelor of Science (Applied Mathematics and Statistical Science), Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), 1990 President’s Award for Academic Excellence: Applied Mathematics 1990, President’s Award for Academic Excellence: Philosophy Phi Beta Kappa

Active Bar Admissions

Rhode Island Supreme Court, 1994
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, 2001
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1995