top of page

John F. Kelleher, Esq.

2b.jpg

Phone: 401-421-8080
Email: jkelleher@LaSalleKelleher.com
LinkedIn: John Kelleher

Education

J.D., Boston University School of Law

B.A., University of Rhode Island

 

Court Admissions

 

  • Rhode Island

  • Massachusetts

  • U.S. District Court - District of Rhode Island

  • U.S. District Court - District of Massachusetts

  • Circuit Court of Appeals for the First and Second Circuits

 

 

Professional Affiliations

Rhode Island Bar Association

Massachusetts Bar Association

American Bar Association

President of Defense Counsel of Rhode Island

Defense Research Institute

Speaking Engagments

 

​

  • 6/29/18 - Personal Injury 101 (National Business Institute)

  • 6/17/17 - Conflicts of Interest - Government Lawyers (Rhode Island Bar Association)

  • 4/7/16 – Opening Your Case (Rhode Island Bar Association)

  • 2/21/13 - Applying the Rules of Evidence: What Every Attorney Needs to Know (National Business Institute);

  • 4/18/12 - Everything I Need to Know about E-Discovery But was Afraid to Ask (Defense Council of RI);

  • 3/22/12 - Insurance Law 2012 (National Business Institute);

  • 3/24/11 - Insurance Law from A - Z (National Business Institute);

  • 11/12/09 - The Common Interest Privilege and Joint Defense Agreements: Policies, Parameters and Pitfalls (Defense Council of RI);

  • 11/19/09 - Personal Injury Law 101 (National Business Institute);

  • 10/30/08 - Recent Case Law and Developments for the Defense (Defense Council of RI);

  • 3/9/06 - Tackling Critical Insurance Coverage and Litigation Issues in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 12/1/05 - Selection of a Defense Expert (Defense Council of RI/RI Trial Lawyers Assoc.);

  • 6/14/05 - Insurance Law: Third Party Coverage in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 10/15/04 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 12/18/03 - Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 10/2003 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 4/29/03 - An Update on the Law of Expert Testimony (RI Bar Association);

  • 2002 - Uninsured Motorist Law in the State of Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 10/2002 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 3/21/01 - Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Rhode Island (RI Bar Association);

  • Practical Considerations in the Defense of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Cases (Defense Council of RI);

Depositions in Rhode Island (Providence City Solicitor's Office).

    Since 1988 John has developed a depth of experience in a broad range of litigation.  His primary areas of practice are product liability, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and general insurance defense.  He has tried approximately 75 cases to conclusion in the state and federal courts and has successfully represented clients before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeal for the First and Second Circuits.

    John is also involved in transportation litigation involving truck and bus collisions. In conjunction with his vehicular product liability experience, he is especially well-versed in complex accident reconstruction. Moreover, he regularly defends insurers in the context of coverage disputes as well as first and third party claims involving issues related to construction, vehicular liability, professional negligence and homeowner’s coverage.

     John has been recognized as a SuperLawyer by Super Lawyers, New England since 2015. In 2019, he was selected by his peers to become a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.  He is a past president of Defense Counsel of Rhode Island, having been elected two consecutive terms. John is the author of the Rhode Island chapter of the 2016 Uninsured Motorist Law Compendium published by the Defense Research Institute. He was recently appointed to a special legislative commission which was formed to study and recommend changes to Rhode Island's joint tortfeasor law. John is also a frequent lecturer on trial practice techniques and substantive law at continuing education programs for attorneys.

​

    John's representative cases include:

 

​

Product Liability

-        Defense verdict in lawsuit where package delivery company vehicle started from a curbside stop. 

-        Defense of a manufacturer of a tractor mower in a wrongful death action based on product liability claims. The six-week trial in the Massachusetts Superior Court settled favorably immediately after the commencement of jury deliberations.

-        Successfully defended the manufacturer of an automobile which allegedly ran over and severely injured the operator of the vehicle - against claims that the vehicle contained a false park detente.  A two week trial resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the manufacturer.

-        Defense of the manufacturer of a commercial loader on product liability claims. The two-week trial in the Massachusetts Superior Court resulted in a defense verdict.

-        Defense of the manufacturer of a commercial truck tractor involving claims that the sleeper cab was negligently designed resulting in serious injuries to an occupant.  The matter settled favorably after the court granted a motion for new trial based upon errors of law.

-        Successfully defended the manufacturer of an extension ladder against defective design and warning claims.  Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the manufacturer.

​

​

​

-        Successfully obtained injunctive relief in favor of a financial services company against a former employee threatening to divulge confidential information of customers.

-        Represented a hedge fund against a claim for marketing fees allegedly due and owing to a former marketer employed by a predecessor entity.  The matter resulted in a summary judgment for the hedge fund in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

-        Representing a large regional construction company in a claim seeking damages arising from a breach of contract associated with a site development agreement.  A seven day trial in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Massachusetts; resulted in a full recovery.

​

​

​

-        Successfully represented employers' liability carrier against claims for indemnity for liability assumed under a contract. Obtained summary judgment which was affirmed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. 

-        Represented an auto insurer against a claim that an employee of a named insured is entitled to stack uninsured motorist limits of a fleet policy. Obtained summary judgment for the insurer which was affirmed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.  

​

Publications

 

  • 2018 - Personal Injury 101 - Damages (National Business Institute) 

  • 2016 - Defense Research Institute Compendium of Uninsured Motorist Law, Rhode Island Chapter

  • 2016 – Opening Your Claim File (Rhode Island Bar Association)​

  • 2015 - Attacking Plaintiff's Claims of Fair and Reasonable Medical Expenses (Defense Counsel of Rhode Island)

  • 2013 - Applying the Rules of Evidence: What Every Attorney Needs to Know (National Business Institute);

  • 2012 - Insurance Law 2012 (National Business Institute);

  • 2011 - Insurance Law from A-Z (National Business Institute);

  • 2009 - The Common Interest Privilege and Joint Defense Agreements: Policies, Parameters and Pitfalls (Defense Counsel of RI);

  • 2009 - Personal Injury Law 101 (National Business Institute);

  • 2008 - Recent Case Law and Developments for the Defense (Defense Council of RI);

  • 2006 - Tackling Critical Insurance Coverage and Litigation Issues in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 2005 - Insurance Law: Third Party Coverage in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 2004 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 2003 - Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 2003 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 2002 - Uninsured Motorist Law in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • 2002 - Recent Developments in the Law of Evidence (RI Bar Association);

  • 2001 - Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Rhode Island (National Business Institute);

  • Practical Consideration in the Defense of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Cases (Defense Council of RI).

Commerical Law

Insurance Law

bottom of page