RI high court says national law firm can open branch in the state

RI court: National law firm can open local branch

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A national lawyer known for his regular TV ads can open a branch of his law firm in Rhode Island, the state’s highest court ruled Thursday, turning aside concerns from established local firms that sought to block the new office.

The Supreme Court said attorney James Sokolove’s law firm can register and practice law in Rhode Island as a limited liability corporation. Sokolove, who is himself licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York, has said his firm practices law in every state but South Dakota and Rhode Island.

The firm’s referral system sends cases to lawyers throughout the country.

The Rhode Island office would be run by Smithfield lawyer Brian Farrell.

A phone message left for Sokolove was not immediately returned, and Farrell’s office referred calls to a spokeswoman, who did not immediately return a call.

Several personal injury law firms sought to block Sokolove from opening an office locally. They said potential clients could be misled into thinking that Sokolove would be personally handling their cases and argued that Sokolove’s operation was more of a referral network than an actual law firm.

“My initial reaction is obviously disappointment,” said Angel Taveras, who represented several firms that challenged Sokolove’s application. “I think it’s an issue that is important and could potentially have larger ramifications.”

In a 15-page opinion on Thursday, the court said Rhode Island law permits a law firm to operate outside Rhode Island but maintain offices in the state. It also said there’s no requirement that each member of a limited liability corporation be licensed to practice law in Rhode Island.