2024 Business Women Awards
INDUSTRY LEADER | LEGAL SERVICES: Dana Horton
Robinson & Cole LLP partner
EVEN WHEN SHE was 10 years old, Dana Horton enjoyed being an advocate for others who struggle to help themselves. She was also not one who would shy away from an argument with anyone about anything.
So, a career in law was a natural option for Horton, now a partner for Robinson & Cole LLP.
Horton works as an insurance litigation attorney with more than 20 years of experience. Her expansive work focuses on advising corporate and insurance company clients in complex commercial disputes.
Horton’s career at the nationwide legal firm with a Providence office – an office she established – includes her team securing the first Rhode Island state court decision granting a motion for partial summary judgment and denying coverage for business interruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has obtained summary judgment for clients on numerous concerns, including homeowners’ policy claims, claims involving commercial general liability policy coverage, builders’ risk policy issues, and extra-contractual and bad faith disputes.
“While Robinson & Cole’s roots date back to 1845, our expansion into Rhode Island took place 15 years ago and it’s been a real pleasure to be a part of establishing the firm’s presence in my home state,” Horton said.
In addition to leading the firm’s expansion to the Ocean State, Horton values her role as a mentor. She says she takes pride in being a mentor within Robinson & Cole and with the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association. She was also named the firm’s mentor of the year in 2021.
Horton also assists new attorneys in developing their internal and external profiles, and overall career development and experience. Additionally, she is a member of the firm’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging committee and served as co-chair of the firm’s women’s committee for four years, and currently co-chairs the firm’s well-being committee.
“It’s a real joy to watch [everyone] grow and thrive in their practice,” Horton said.
Daniel Sullivan, a fellow partner at Robinson & Cole, says Horton ensures that the firm’s culture of collaboration is regularly upheld by training new hires on the firm’s mentoring practice.
Horton also says it’s vital for her to champion nonlegal issues that are important to her.
Horton is active in her current hometown of Westerly. There, she volunteers with the town’s parent teacher organization and sports boosters, serves as chairwoman of the town’s Board of Assessment Review and works as a certified spinning instructor at the Ocean Community YMCA.
Horton’s goals moving forward are in line with her past accomplishments. She says some future plans include continuing to serve on the Rhode Island Bar Association’s executive committee and hopefully one day becoming the first female attorney at Robinson & Cole ever to serve as president of a state bar association.
“Further, as my teenage children start the college search process, I can only hope that my hard work, dedication and drive encourage and motivate them to be the best people they can each be, in every facet of their lives,” Horton said.
Like a true mentor, Horton has plenty of advice for the next generation entering various workforce sectors, law notwithstanding. She said future employees of all walks of life should work smarter, not harder … but “work hard.”
Recognize that you don’t know what you don’t know and do not be afraid to ask questions,” Horton said. “Listen to advice. Whether you take it or not is another issue, but actively listen. Finally, give back. We can all give back, even in the early stages of our career. There is always a need for help, guidance and advice. Find your ‘something.’ ”
