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December
2007 
For the third straight year, Chambers USA has selected Blish & Cavanagh LLP as one of the leading firms in Rhode Island in the area of General Commercial Litigation.
The 2007-2008 edition of Chambers USA’s “Client’s Guide” to America’s leading lawyers for business takes particular note of the abilities of Joe Cavanagh, Karen Pelczarski, and Kristin Rodgers.
The print edition describes Joe Cavanagh as having a “wide-ranging practice” and being “approachable” and good at analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of a case for clients.
It calls him a “true all-rounder”, but also notes that he is widely recognized as “a premier media First Amendment lawyer” and known for his product defense work.
Karen Pelczarski is commended for being “well prepared, professional and commonsensical” and a lawyer who has the respect of her colleagues, “whether that is on the same side or opposite side of a matter.
The “Client’s Guide” guide describes Kristin
Rodgers, who is in their “up and coming” category, as an “incredibly fine attorney” in the area of civil and commercial litigation. "Rhode
Island Super Lawyers and New England Super Lawyers"
Law & Politics has recognized three of our partners as outstanding lawyers in their Rhode Island Super
Lawyers” and “New England Super Lawyers” publications for 2007. Joe Cavanagh was listed as one of the ten best lawyers in Rhode Island and as one of the 100 best lawyers in New England, and he was also the top vote getter in their Rhode Island poll.
With respect to areas of practice, he was identified as a “super lawyer” for General Litigation.
Steve Reid was identified as a Rhode Island Super Lawyer and New England Super Lawyer in the area of Employment and Labor and
Karen Pelczarski as a Rhode Island and New England Super Lawyer for General Litigation.
Karen Pelczarski
is co-chair of the committee planning the 2008 annual conference for the United States District Court for Rhode Island and
Mary Cavanagh Dunn is a member of the committee.
Karen Pelczarski
is chair of the Education Committee of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, which recently purchased a new building that will enable it to expand its music education programs. Joe Cavanagh and Kristin Rodgers
continue to represent Anheuser-Busch, Inc. and affiliated entities in the civil litigation arising from the tragic fire in February, 2003 at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
Joe and Kristin have also been representing the Sherwin-Williams Company in a civil action brought by the Rhode Island Attorney General against several lead pigment companies alleging that lead pigment in paints has created a public nuisance in Rhode Island.
Karen Pelczarski
has again been selected as one of “The Best Lawyers in America”, for the 2007 edition of this publication.
DECISIONS
AND OTHER MATTERS
On September 11, 2007, a three-member American Arbitration Association Panel ruled that BZ Results, LLC did not breach its contractual obligations when it sold its major assets to ADP.
The decision is entitled Nationwide Capital Corporation v. B & Z Productions, LLC, AAA #11-118-Y-01760-06.
The claimant had sought almost $23 million in damages. The Arbitration Panel found BZ to be the prevailing party and not only dismissed the claim, but awarded BZ costs and attorney’s fees.
Joe Cavanagh, Ed Alves and
Scott Spear represented BZ in the arbitration proceedings.
On June 22, 2007, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that the Smithfield Zoning Board properly dismissed a developer’s comprehensive permit application seeking approval for 335 residential units.
The Court reversed an adverse decision of the State Housing Appeals Board (SHAB) and upheld the Zoning Board’s decision that the application was not substantially complete.
Ed Alves, in his capacity as Town Solicitor, represented the Smithfield Town Council and the Town’s Zoning Board before SHAB and the Supreme Court.
This decision is reported as Town of Smithfield v. Churchill & Banks Companies, LLC, 924 A.2d 796 (R.I. 2007).
To
read this decision online, click here.
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