Linn F. Freedman of Nixon Peabody LLP in Providence recently received a “Founder’s Award” from the R.I. Department of Health – along with former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse and former R.I. Health Director Patricia Nolan – for her “pioneering efforts to create a healthy environment” in the state. In her previous job, as an assistant attorney general, Freedman was lead prosecutor and litigator in the state’s lawsuit against lead paint companies. Earlier this year, in a retrial of the case, a jury voted to hold three paint companies liable for cleaning up the lead paint that has poisoned thousands of children.
PBN: How important has the lead case been in your career?
FREEDMAN: It was the most complex piece of litigation of my career, not only in terms of legal claims, but also in terms of management, document production and discovery. That experience has enabled me to handle more complex litigation for private-industry clients.
PBN: How confident are you that the verdict will stand?
FREEDMAN: The pigment manufacturers will continue to seek legal relief through the appellate process and both sides will argue the merits of their respective cases, which will take some time to get resolved through the court system. … I am focused on how the verdict will be implemented. It is imperative that nationally recognized public-health experts be involved in order for the abatement to be completed in a way that, on the one hand, is fair to the pigment manufacturers, and on the other hand, will solve the problem.
PBN: Have you continued public health work in the private sector?
FREEDMAN: At Nixon Peabody, I represent a broad spectrum of health care providers on litigation, risk management, regulatory and corporate matters. I continue to work with the Rhode Island Quality Institute, advising on a range of health care-related issues. The Quality Institute is on the forefront of making a real difference in the delivery of quality health care to Rhode Islanders. In addition, I assisted in the creation of and am on the executive committee of the Rhode Island Business Group on Health, which was formed in May 2005.
