Atty. James A. Ruggieri

Atty. James A. Ruggieri

Jim joined the firm in 1984 and has been a partner in the Litigation Practice Group since 1990. He is admitted to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Providence Providence 44 yrs experience 44 year
Call (401) 530-5559 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James A. Ruggieri at a glance

James A. Ruggieri is a Partner based in Providence, Rhode Island, practicing at Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney LLP. They have 44+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1982. Their practice focuses on business, product liability, litigation, insurance, and adr. Admitted to practice in Rhode Island (1982), Massachusetts (1983), U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island (1983), and U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit (1987). Educated at Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1982) and Brown University (A.B., 1979). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and American Bar Associations. Serands clients in Providence, RI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jim joined the firm in 1984 and has been a partner in the Litigation Practice Group since 1990
  • He is admitted to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Jim is a graduate of Brown University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio
  • He has had a broad-based litigation practice for more than 30 years
  • Jim’s primary areas of practice are product liability, including mass tort and toxic tort litigation
  • insurance coverage
  • general insurance defense
  • employment
  • and commercial litigation
  • Jim has devoted a substantial part of his practice to the defense of product liability claims
  • Jim is also actively involved in the defense of asbestos product liability claims on behalf of manufacturers of heating and cooling equipment, valves, pumps, compressors, building products manufacturers, and automotive and aircraft manufacturers, in various New England jurisdictions, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Jim regularly deals with insurance coverage matters including bad faith
  • In the employment arena, Jim actively represents employers across a wide range of industries in the defense of employment discrimination claims at both the administrative level and in the courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Jim is also involved in the defense of the transportation industry in connection with trucking accident claims and labor and employment issues
  • Jim is a member of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and American Bar Associations
  • He is also a member of ALFA International, the Defense Research Institute and the Defense Counsel of Rhode Island
  • Jim is a Sustaining Member of the Product Liability Advisory Counsel
  • He is a past president of the Brown Club of Rhode Island and serves as a member of the board of directors of the Roger Williams University School of Law

Practice Areas Explained

James A. Ruggieri's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James A. Ruggieri handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

James A. Ruggieri is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Rhode Island →

Product Liability

James A. Ruggieri is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Rhode Island →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

James A. Ruggieri is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Rhode Island →

Insurance Law

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

James A. Ruggieri is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Rhode Island →

Mediation & Arbitration

Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.

James A. Ruggieri is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Rhode Island →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Rhode Island

Practicing law in Rhode Island. Legal matters in Rhode Island are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Providence are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Rhode Island state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Rhode Island brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Rhode Island courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Rhode Island attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Providence or all attorneys in Rhode Island.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James A. Ruggieri

Where is James A. Ruggieri's law office located?
James A. Ruggieri's law practice is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The firm is Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James A. Ruggieri handle?
James A. Ruggieri focuses on business, product liability, litigation, insurance, adr. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Rhode Island.
How long has James A. Ruggieri practiced law?
James A. Ruggieri has 44+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1982.
Where did James A. Ruggieri go to law school?
James A. Ruggieri earned their education at (J.D., 1982); (A.B., 1979).
How can I contact James A. Ruggieri for a consultation?
You can contact James A. Ruggieri directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James A. Ruggieri received?
James A. Ruggieri's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Case Western Reserve University
- 1982
A.B.
Brown University
- 1979

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Rhode Island
Admitted: 1982
Massachusetts
Admitted: 1983
U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
Admitted: 1983
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Admitted: 1987

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