Atty. John E. Bulman

Atty. John E. Bulman

John Bulman has more than 30 years of experience in construction and commercial trial matters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other states. He has served as either a neutral or counsel in trials, mediations, and arbitrations in Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, and Washington D.C.

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Arbitration & More Attorney · Serving Providence, RI

Profile Summary

About John E. Bulman at a Glance

John E. Bulman is a business, construction, litigation, and adr attorney based in Providence, Rhode Island, practicing at Pierce Atwood LLP. Admitted to practice in United States, Massachusetts and United States, Rhode Island. Educated at Georgetown University (J.D., 1984) and Hobart & William Smith Colleges (B.A., 1980). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Arbitration (Providence) (2026), Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence) (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration (2026). Serves clients in Providence, RI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About John E. Bulman

  • John Bulman has more than 30 years of experience in construction and commercial trial matters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other states
  • He has served as either a neutral or counsel in trials, mediations, and arbitrations in Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, and Washington D.C
  • John has argued cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the First and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal
  • John is repeatedly ranked by industry publications as among the top construction and alternative dispute resolution practitioners in New England
  • John combines his extensive trial experience with his experience as a neutral arbitrator and court-appointed referee and brings to bear these perspectives in effective evaluation and presentation of cases
  • John has negotiated construction contracts on behalf of contractors, owners and subcontractors on a nationwide basis and frequently counsels clients on effective risk and claim avoidance

Practice Areas Explained

John E. Bulman's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John E. Bulman handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Providence.

Business & Corporate Law in Providence

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

John E. Bulman is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Rhode Island →

Construction Law in Providence

John E. Bulman is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Rhode Island →

Civil Litigation in Providence

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

John E. Bulman is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Rhode Island →

Mediation & Arbitration in Providence

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

John E. Bulman is one of 73,315 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Rhode Island →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Providence

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 venue, 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.

Providence Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Providence-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

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

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About John E. Bulman

Where is John E. Bulman's law office located?
John E. Bulman's law practice is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The firm is Pierce Atwood LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John E. Bulman handle?
John E. Bulman focuses on business, construction, litigation, adr. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Rhode Island.
Where did John E. Bulman go to law school?
John E. Bulman earned their education at (J.D., 1984); (B.A., 1980).
How can I contact John E. Bulman for a consultation?
You can contact John E. Bulman 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 John E. Bulman received?
John E. Bulman's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Arbitration (Providence); Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence); Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Providence Choose John E. Bulman

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John E. Bulman's practice in the field of business, construction, litigation, and adr.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in United States, Massachusetts and United States, Rhode Island, John E. Bulman can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering business, construction, and litigation, John E. Bulman can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Providence

A Providence-based practice means John E. Bulman attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues John E. Bulman Handles in Providence

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John E. Bulman has experience with under Rhode Island law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John E. Bulman directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find John E. Bulman Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Providence commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like John E. Bulman.

John E. Bulman attorney John E. Bulman lawyer John E. Bulman Providence John E. Bulman Rhode Island John E. Bulman reviews John E. Bulman contact Pierce Atwood LLP law firm business attorney in Providence business lawyer Providence best business attorney Providence top rated business lawyer near me business attorney Rhode Island find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with John E. Bulman directly.

John E. Bulman's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Georgetown University
- 1984
B.A.
Hobart & William Smith Colleges
- 1980

Awards & Professional Honors

Lawyer of the Year — Arbitration (Providence)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mediation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Providence)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Providence)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Providence)
- 2016
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Providence)
- 2014
Lawyer of the Year — Construction Law (Providence)
- 2011

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

United States, Massachusetts
United States, Rhode Island

Client Reviews & Ratings — John E. Bulman

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