Rhode Island
Robert J. McConnell
Member Attorney
Bob McConnell’s practice concentrates on lead pigment litigation, childhood lead poisoning cases and other toxic environmental litigation with Motley Rice’s Environmental practice group. For several years, Bob prepared for and served on the trial team in the landmark trial on behalf of the state of Rhode Island against corporate defendants from the lead paint industry. In 2005, he successfully argued the precedent-setting case Thomas v. Mallett 285 Wis 2d 236 as part of the Motley Rice trial team applying risk contribution theory to the lead paint industry before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Bob currently represents children injured by childhood lead poisoning against property owners, governmental agencies and lead pigment companies. In Rhode Island, Bob secured the largest lead paint poisoning settlement on behalf of a child injured by lead poisoning. He also played a leading role in a statewide lobbying effort to defeat legislation that would have denied lead-poisoned children and their families the right to seek justice. Through testimony, analysis and grassroots outreach, he helped the Rhode Island legislature pass a bill helping to prevent childhood lead poisoning without infringing on victims’ rights.
Additionally, Bob litigates cases involving environmental hazards such as groundwater or soil contamination. He represents victims seeking corporate accountability as a result of personal injury, property damage and economic loss as a result of negligent environmental practices. Recently, Bob represented more than 100 residents of Tiverton, Rhode Island, in an environmental contamination lawsuit against a major New England utility company.
With over two decades of experience in asbestos litigation, Bob also works on the firm’s occupational disease and toxic tort litigation. He continues to represent victims of asbestos exposure suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. He has managed large consolidation trials in several states including Maryland, Mississippi and West Virginia.
After beginning his career as a teacher, Bob earned a law degree and clerked for the Honorable Donald F. Shea of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He joined Motley Rice attorneys on the tobacco litigation team representing multiple state attorneys general, which resulted in the historic Master Settlement Agreement between the states and the tobacco industry.
Bob was selected for inclusion in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in addition to being named to the 2009 New England Superlawyers list.
Highly active in the Rhode Island community, Bob serves as board vice chairman of The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, an organization that seeks to promote nonviolence among young people in Rhode Island’s inner cities. He is also a board member for the George Wiley Center, which advocates for the rights of low income Rhode Island citizens, and the Fund for Community Progress, an organization that supports 26 grassroots organizations working for long-term community change.Bob frequently speaks about lead paint litigation to local and regional groups such as the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Northeast Conference of Attorneys General. He is a member of the American Association for Justice and the American Bar Association.