Patrick C. Barry

Biography

Patrick graduated from Boston University (B.A.) in 1990, and from Widener University School of Law (J.D., cum laude) in 1996. While in law school, Patrick was the Articles Editor of one of the school’s law review publications, and was also selected for publication of his own scholarly article about the use of scientific opinion testimony.

In practice for over twenty-five years, Patrick has been recognized as an accomplished trial lawyer and patient safety advocate. He has handled many successful jury trials, including multi-million dollar jury verdicts in obstetrical, medical negligence, wrongful death and other serious injury cases including spinal cord injury.

In 2018, he was named Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly "Lawyer of the Year" in recognition of a $32,000,000 jury verdict in a catastrophic injury trial.

Mr. Barry has been selected for the New England Super Lawyers list for every year since 2010 in the areas of Medical Malpractice, and in other years for general Personal Injury as well. He has twice been included in the Super Lawyers “Top Ten” for Rhode Island, achieving among the highest vote totals across the entire state and all areas of practice.

Mr. Barry also holds an AV rating bestowed by Martindale-Hubbell in response to legal surveys of his peers and colleagues. This is the highest “peer review” rating available. 

Pro Bono/Community Service

Patrick has also served as a member of the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, the licensing board for all physicians in the state, from 2005 to 2013. He was appointed by former Rhode Island Governors Donald Carcieri and Lincoln Chafee. This voluntary and part-time position provided significant insight into the workings of the regulatory aspects of the medical profession.  He also recently completed two terms on Rhode Island’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, and had been appointed by Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell. This committee helps protect the integrity of the legal system by ensuring that only properly trained and licensed attorneys are performing true legal work.

In 2016, Patrick was selected to the local chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”), an organization of skilled and experienced trial lawyers on both sides of the civil justice system (plaintiff and defense). ABOTA has significant requirements for membership including specific measures of skill, experience, ethics and peer recommendations. In 2022, Patrick was selected by the local members as President of the Rhode Island ABOTA chapter, and holds the position currently.

He is also a Past President of the Rhode Island Association for Justice, a statewide organization of approximately 400 civil justice attorneys, and a former national Governor of the American Association for Justice.

Publications and Lectures

Patrick has written and lectured for numerous professional groups about patient safety, medical negligence, and personal injury topics. These groups include the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Association for Justice, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Care New England corporation, and many other “continuing legal education” seminars. He also authored the chapter on “Deposing Medical and Technical Experts” in the 2010 MCLE/New England publication “A Practical Guide to Discovery & Depositions in Rhode Island,” including a number of updates over the years.

Bar Admissions and Education

Mr. Barry is admitted to the bar in the states of Rhode Island (1996) and Massachusetts (1997), and to the federal U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. He graduated from Boston University (B.A.) in 1990, and from Widener University School of Law (J.D., cum laude) in 1996.