Vin Greene works on behalf of victims of lead poisoning, asbestos-related diseases and defective medical products.
He represents children and families poisoned by exposure to lead paint and pigments in trials, negotiations and settlements, including achieving a rare jury verdict and compensatory damages in 2015 for a Rhode Island woman who suffered cognitive defects due to lead exposure as a child. Vin’s legal efforts led to his critical role in defeating tort reform legislation in Rhode Island, utilizing testimony, analysis and grassroots outreach to push passage of a bill that helped prevent childhood lead poisoning without infringing on victims’ rights. For his numerous efforts and accomplishments, the Childhood Lead Action Project honored him with its Beyond the Call of Duty Award in 2001.
Vin also represents workers and families suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases as a result of occupational, environmental or household exposure to asbestos. He has managed asbestos cases and negotiations on behalf of hundreds of individuals, including arguing before the Supreme Courts of Ohio and Rhode Island, as well as Ohio Appellate Courts.
In addition to his toxic exposure casework, Vin litigates on behalf of patients who suffered severe health complications caused by allegedly defective mesh products, including Composix® Kugel® Mesh patches and other hernia mesh products, as well as transvaginal mesh.
Active in the legal community, Vin served in 2015 as President of the Rhode Island Association for Justice. He is the current Treasurer for the Rhode Island Center for Justice, a non-profit law center advocating for workers’ rights and other public interest issues. Vin began working with Motley Rice attorneys in 1997 on the landmark litigation against the tobacco industry and medical malpractice cases. Named a Motley Rice member in 2008, Vin is recognized as an AV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Education
J.D., George Washington University, 1998
B.A., College of the Holy Cross, 1995
Associations
American Association for Justice
American Civil Liberties Union
Rhode Island Association for Justice, Past President
Rhode Island Center for Justice, Treasurer
Licensed In
- Rhode Island
Admitted to Practice Before
U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
Litigation Areas
Asbestos Exposure Medical Devices Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Toxic ExposureAwards and Accolades
2017–2021 Product liability litigation – plaintiffs
2020 Lawdragon 500 Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
2014–2020 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
Personal injury – products: plaintiff; Class action/mass torts; Environmental litigation
2012–2014 Rhode Island "Litigation Star": environmental, medical malpractice, toxic tort
2010 Mass tort and class action: plaintiff representation – toxic tort
*Although it endorses this lawyer, The Legal 500 United States is not a Motley Rice client.