A litigator for nearly 30 years, Steven Adams is known for his strategic judgment, persuasive advocacy, and his ability to guide clients through high‑stakes disputes with clarity and confidence.

 

Steve has tried and arbitrated a broad range of cases, including matters involving healthcare and products liability, environmental and commercial litigation, labor and employment disputes, insurance and reinsurance claims, and education law matters. Steve also advises educational institutions and professionals on labor and employment matters, regulatory compliance, budgeting and fiscal oversight, special education disputes, and student discipline issues.

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The following reflect some of Steve’s Professional Accomplishments:

 

Steve’s clients have prevailed in numerous labor arbitrations, including cases upholding employee suspensions or terminations as well as decisions upholding management’s interpretation of collective bargaining agreements. Steve has successfully defended numerous educational institutions from complaints and investigations brought by the U.S Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights or brought by individuals under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Steve persuaded the Rhode Island Supreme Court that DCYF’s charges for statutory “special education costs” were only applicable to students who actually received special education and related services under the IDEA.  Newport Sch. Comm. v. R.I. Dep't of Educ., 349 A.3d 537 (R.I. 2026)

 

In the litigation context, Steve has tried cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators.  He has also helped clients avoid trial by winning judgment in their favor before trial.  For example, Steve obtained summary judgment for a commercial property insurer in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island involving interpretation of the insurance policy’s pollution exclusion and pesticide endorsement.  Glocester County Club v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 149666 (DCRI 2021).  Steve’s client also won an opponent’s  appeal to the Rhode Island Supreme Court, in which the Court enforced the contractual limitations period contained in an insurance contract.  Chase v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 160 A.3d 970 (R.I. (2017).