September 24, 2025
9:30 am |
SU-2024-0287-A |
The Providence Community Health Centers, Inc. v. Neal Dupuis, Tax Assessor, City of Warwick |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
M. Hamza Chaudary
Patricia K. Rocha
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Peter F. Skwirz |
The plaintiff appeals from a judgment in favor of the city of Warwick in this case involving the interpretation of two tax exemption sections. The plaintiff contends that the Superior Court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of the city when it concluded that the plaintiff was not exempt from property taxes under either G.L. 1956 § 44-3-3(a)(12) or § 44-3-3(a)(70). The plaintiff contends that the tax exemption under § 44-3-3(a)(70) applies to real property owned by the plaintiff anywhere in Rhode Island and is not limited to its Providence real property. The plaintiff also contends that its’ Warwick property qualifies for the tax exemption under § 44-3-3(a)(12), because it serves the poor. |
September 24, 2025
9:50 am
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SU-2024-0209-A
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Domenic Apostolicov v. Deborah Pagliaro |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Stephen Robinson
Vicki J. Bejma
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Michael Jacobs |
In this family dispute, the defendant appeals from an amended final judgment in favor of the plaintiff, her sibling, in the amount of $38,466.42, which represents the defendant’s one-third share of property and sewer taxes, plus interest, on a single-family home deeded to the parties as joint tenants by their mother, who retained a life estate. Defendant argues that the trial judge erred as a matter of law in determining that she was responsible for property and sewer taxes as a remainderman. She contends that the life tenant, her mother, was responsible for taxes on the property because she lived there. |
September 24, 2025
10:10 am |
SU-2024-0253-MP |
Roberge v. Travelers Prop. Casualty Co. of America |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
James S. D'Ambra
Wayne G. Resmini
Counsel for Defendant(s):
John P. Graceffa
Jessica Marie Savino |
This case is before the Court pursuant to certified questions of law from the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The First Circuit asked this Court whether an employee operating her own personal vehicle while in the scope of her employment is considered a named insured under the employer’s auto insurance policy, despite contrary language in the policy and in light of
Martinelli v. Travelers Ins. Co., 687 A.2d 443 (R.I. 1996). The First Circuit also asked this Court whether there is a violation of § 27-7-2.1 when an employer’s auto insurance provides liability coverage to employees in the scope of their employment, but does not provide uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage based upon the auto involved. |
September 24, 2025
11:00 am
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SU-2023-0082-MP
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Dana Gallop v. State of Rhode Island |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Richard K. Corley
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Judy Davis
Christopher R. Bush |
This case is before the Court on a petition for writ of certiorari from a judgment denying an application for postconviction relief (PCR). Before this Court, petitioner asserts that the PCR hearing judge erred: (1) in considering witness credibility when passing on petitioner’s motion for summary disposition of his application; and (2) in finding that the state had not violated Rule 16 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure or the dictates of
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) by failing to disclose exculpatory evidence concerning eyewitness involvement in the witness protection program. |
September 25, 2025
9:30 am |
SU-2024-0203-A |
1100 North Main, LLC v. Shoreby Hill Properties, Inc |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Michael John Riley
John F. DiMeglio
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Gregory Scott Estabrooks
Michael A. Kelly |
This case concerns the purchase and sale of real property and the plaintiff’s claim that it is a third-party beneficiary of a contract between another party, Firefighters Realty Corporation, and the defendant. The plaintiff appeals from a partial final judgment dismissing its action for declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and specific performance. |
September 25, 2025
9:50 am
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SU-2024-0359-A
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IN RE G.S. |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Malena Lopez Mora
Thomas J. Corrigan, Jr.
Counsel for Defendant(s):
G.S., Pro Se |
The respondent appeals from an amended order certifying him to inpatient treatment at Rhode Island Hospital. The amended order also provided that the respondent was not competent to make informed decisions about recommended medication and ordered the respondent to follow the recommended treatment plan. The respondent contends that the District Court erred in ordering him to inpatient treatment and the medication maintenance program. The respondent contends that the testimony of Dr. Yeung was not credible in the proceedings before the District Court. |
September 25, 2025
10:10 am |
SU-2024-0134-MP |
Robert Schmidt et al. v. RI Division of Taxation |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Thomas P. Quinn
Kristen Reilly Alberione
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Kathleen M. Daniels
Jeffrey Michael DeSisto
Marc DeSisto
Carrie E. Mosca |
The Rhode Island Department of Revenue Division of Taxation (Division) seeks review of a decision of the District Court in favor of respondents, in this administrative appeal that was heard on cross motions for summary judgment. The case turns on interpretation of language in § 44-30-87(a). Specifically, the issue involves the method for calculating the three-year period that limits the amount of tax refund. The Division argues that the three-year period is calculated by looking forward from the date the refund was requested; respondents argue that the three-year period is calculated by looking backwards. The trial judge decided that § 44-30-87(a) was ambiguous and that the Division’s interpretation was erroneous. The Division argues that its interpretation was consistent with the rules of statutory construction and previous decisions. It also argues that the District Court ruling violates the doctrine of separation of powers by usurping the General Assembly’s power, re-writing § 44-30-87(a), and changing the legislature’s intent and literal language. |
September 25, 2025
11:00 am
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SU-2024-0030-A
SU-2024-0031-A
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Bank of America, N.A., as Trustee of the Harold W. Wood and Gertrude B. Wood Trust, the Marion Law Trust, the John F. Preston Charitable Trust, the E. Russell Richardson Trust and the William F. Sayles Endowment Trust v. Peter F. Neronha, Attorney General of the State of Rhode Island, et als |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Steven E. Snow
Robert K. Taylor
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Mitchell R. Edwards
Julia Claire Harvey
Keith Hoffmann
Marissa Danielle Pizana
Katherine Connolly Sadeck
Robert D. Fine
Kathleen Anne Nee
Shaun Thomas Hogan
Theodore Orson
Catherine A. Shaghalian |
These consolidated appeals arise from a miscellaneous petition filed by Bank of America, N.A., acting as trustee on behalf of five trusts and asking the court to reform the trusts and apply the doctrine of cypres to the trusts in the wake of the demise of the original beneficiary, the Memorial Hospital of Pawtucket. |
September 30, 2025
9:30 am |
SU-2024-0108-A |
Porch Swing Holdings LLC v. Wayne Mallory et al. |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Jason MacKeen
Counsel for Defendant(s):
John B. Ennis
Angelyne E. Cooper
Shane Patrick Gallant |
On appeal, the defendants contend that summary judgment was erroneously granted because the plaintiff admitted that it did not know the whereabouts of the promissory note. The defendants contend that the plaintiff, as mortgagee, could not foreclose under an agency theory for the note holder, as the note has been lost. The defendants also assert that the hearing justice made impermissible findings of fact. |
September 30, 2025
9:50 am
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SU-2023-0299-A
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Ana Varela v. Daniel Monteiro |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Joanna M. Achille
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Robert D. Goldberg |
The defendant appeals from the denial of his motion to vacate a judgment of divorce. The defendant claims that the court did not have jurisdiction to enter the final judgment of divorce and the decision pending entry of final judgment on the same day. |
September 30, 2025
10:10 am |
SU-2023-0353-A |
Nicholas Dibiccari v. State of Rhode Island et al. |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Kelly M. Fracassa
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Randelle Louise Boots
Alison Hoffman Carney |
The plaintiff appeals from the dismissal of his declaratory judgment action against the state for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. This case involves an application to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for an on-site wastewater treatment system, which DEM denied because groundwater was too close to the surface. |
September 30, 2025
11:00 am
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SU-2023-0371-A
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John Majeika et al. v. State of Rhode Island et al. |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Kelly M. Fracassa
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Alison Hoffman Carney
Nicholas Michael Vaz
Katherine Connolly Sadeck
Randelle Louise Boots |
Plaintiffs appeal from the dismissal of their complaint for declaratory judgment and for compensation for an alleged regulatory taking and for injunctive relief. Their application for an on-site wastewater treatment system was denied because groundwater was too close to the surface. The complaint was dismissed on several grounds, including statute of limitations, failure to exhaust administrative remedies, and lack of standing. |
October 01, 2025
9:30 am |
SU-2024-0149-A |
Louis Paolino v. Joseph Ferreira |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Ronald L. Bonin
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Robert Clark Corrente
Christopher Nicholas Dawson |
The remaining plaintiffs appeal from an amended judgment in favor of defendants, following a second jury trial. That complaint alleged that defendants, who own abutting property in Cumberland on which they operated an automotive recycling facility, were responsible for environmental contamination on plaintiffs’ property. The plaintiffs raise two issues: (1) the sufficiency of a curative instruction regarding defendants’ counsel’s opening statements and (2) the allowance of expert testimony that plaintiffs allege was not disclosed in violation of Rule 33(c) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure. |
October 01, 2025
9:50 am
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SU-2024-0263-A
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The Estate of Louis Campagnone, by and through its Duly Appointed Administrator, Dana Martinelli v. State of Rhode Island |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
Jessica L. Basso
James V. Burchfield, Jr.
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Shannon Haibon
Katherine Connolly Sadeck |
The plaintiff appeals from summary judgment entered in favor of the defendant in this slip and fall case involving the Recreational Use Statute, G.L. 1956 § 32-6-1, et seq. Before this Court, plaintiff asserts that the trial judge erred because there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether the state willfully failed to warn against a dangerous condition after discovering a user’s peril that implicates the exception to the application of the statute. |
October 01, 2025
10:10 am |
SU-2021-0314-MP |
Gary Tassone v. State of Rhode Island |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
James T. McCormick
Kara J. Maguire
Angela M. Yingling
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Virginia M. McGinn |
The petitioner seeks review of a judgment denying his application for postconviction relief. The petitioner argues that the hearing judge erred in rejecting his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel based on several alleged failures on the part of trial counsel. |
October 01, 2025
11:00 am
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SU-2021-0037-MP
SU-2021-0038-MP
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Newport School Committee v. Rhode Island Department of Education et al. Cumberland School Committee v. R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education et al. |
Counsel for Plaintiff(s):
William J. Conley, Jr.
Sarah F. O'Toole
Stephen Adams
Derek M. Gillis
Counsel for Defendant(s):
Lauren E. Jones
Benjamin Copple |
In these consolidated matters, DCYF is seeking review by certiorari of a Superior Court consolidated final judgment reversing decisions of the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. The issues revolve around the amount of money the respondent school committees were required to reimburse DCYF for educational services provided to children in DCYF care.
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