Douglas J. Emanuel

Mr. Emanuel is a member of the firm's Business & Civil Litigation Group. He has extensive courtroom experience, representing the State of Rhode Island, major consumer products companies, multinational real estate developers, small businesses and individuals in the State and Federal Courts of Rhode Island. In addition, he serves as an Arbitrator in the Rhode Island Supreme Court court-annexed arbitration program.

Doug is also a member of the firm's Trusts, Estate Planning & Administration Group and advises the firm’s clients on estate planning needs and considerations, long-term asset protection, Medicaid planning, probate practice and procedure and trust administration.

He has served as chair of the Rhode Island Bar Association's New Lawyers Committee, and is a frequent performance judge in Rhode Island's middle school and high school Mock Trial competitions. Previously, a "Rising Star" in general litigation, Doug is a recognized Rhode Island Super Lawyer and AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Prior to joining Chace Ruttenberg & Freedman, LLP, Doug was an associate at Goldenberg & Muri (1994-1997) and Tillinghast Licht LP (1997-2001). During 2001 and 2002, he proudly served as Deputy Executive Counsel to Governor Lincoln C. Almond.

Representative Matters

Bristow v. Kenyon Terrace Apartments, Inc., et al., No. WC-11-0508 (August 16, 2013), affirming developer’s right to construct low and moderate income housing development;
Lupo v. Community Works Rhode Island Inc., 57 A.3d 667 (R.I. 2012), affirming developer’s right to construct low and moderate income housing development;
Rosciti v. Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania, 659 F.3d 92 (1st Cir. 2011), reversing summary judgment in favor of an insurance company based upon statutory interpretation of direct action statute following bankruptcy of insured;
Drs. Pass and Bertherman, Inc. v. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island,31 A.3d 1263 (R.I. 2011), successfully construing statute to defeat class action claim by optometrists and opticians against not-for-profit HMO for increased reimbursement;

Gifford v. Rhode Island State Housing Appeals Board, et al., No. WC-06-653 (August 16, 2007); cert. denied No. 07-283-M.P. (April 10, 2008), affirming developer’s right to construct low and moderate income housing development;
People ex rel. Serio v. Pawtucket Mutual Ins. Co., No. 402513/04 (August 23, 2004), confirming right of Rhode Island receiver of Rhode Island insurance company to cancel policies mid-term over the objection of the New York Department of Insurance;
Cicilline v. Almond, 809 A.2d 1101 (R.I. 2002), successfully obtaining dismissal of challenge to Governor’s right to control expenses on grounds of mootness;
Crown Collision Center, Inc. v. Schumpert, 2000 WL 1781972 (R.I. Super. 2000), cert denied. No. 00-505 M.P. (December 18, 2001), confirming auto body shop’s authority to conduct business in conformance with Motor Vehicle Damage Appraisers Act