Barton Gilman’s Connor named among best in U.S.

A top priority  for me will  always be  Special Olympics Rhode Island.
A top priority for me will always be Special Olympics Rhode Island.

Francis A. Connor III, a partner at Barton Gilman LLP, will be featured in the peer-reviewed publication Best Lawyers in America 2015. This is Connor’s fourth consecutive year receiving the designation. Connor is a trial and appellate attorney who specializes in representing clients in business and insurance litigation, as well as professional liability matters. He also provides consultation and he frequently serves as a mediator and arbitrator. A member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, he also volunteers at Barrington public schools as a youth-sports coach. Connor holds a B.A. in history and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

PBN: One of your specialties is representing health care professionals and organizations – did you choose this focus or did it emerge with experience?
CONNOR: While clerking in the U.S. District Court during my first year after law school, two things really stood out for me. First, the only civil cases that regularly went to jury verdict were the medical professional liability cases. Second, the attorneys handling those cases on both sides were truly excellent. I dreamed of becoming a trial lawyer, so this seemed like the right path for me, and all these years later I still love working on behalf of health care professionals. Also, my mom and two sisters are registered nurses, and my dad is an oral surgeon, so I guess it’s an attempt to be a part of the family vocation.

PBN: What are some of the trending issues that continue to arise when representing health care professionals or organizations? Has this changed over the years?
CONNOR: The most pronounced changes, especially over the last decade, have been the migration of physicians and other medical professionals from relatively small, independent practices to employment with large health care organizations, and the mergers of hospitals and hospital groups throughout the region. Perhaps in part as a consequence of this change in the landscape, clients are increasingly looking to us for representation related to licensing, regulatory and Medicare/Medicaid billing investigations, as well as employment and business disputes.
PBN: You are also very active in your local community, could you tell me more about the volunteer work that you do, and is there an organization that you feel particularly passionate about?
A top priority for me will always be Special Olympics Rhode Island, where I was lucky enough to serve on the board for six years and still serve in other ways. As a firm, our attorneys and staff are deeply committed to many incredible charitable organizations. An essential element of our firm culture is involvement in our community through volunteer efforts •

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