Richard T. Cassidy

Our firm represents people, not businesses or institutions. We focus on personal injury litigation and employment law. We represent people who have been injured due to the fault of others and employees in disputes with their employers or former employers.

Why? We want to make our living doing work that is worthwhile. Early in my career, I represented all sides in many kinds of disputes. But I simply didn’t find it satisfying to represent insurance companies and big businesses. It is true that businesses must pay attention to the bottom line. But many companies don’t seem to care about anything else. They just want to resolve claims as cheaply as they can. For them, people’s troubles are just balance sheet issues. Serving that narrow way of seeing the world is not how I want to spend my life.

Injured people really need help. You have medical bills to pay. You have lost wages and earnings. You have been in pain and may still be in pain. You may have disabilities. You may have suffered the loss of a loved one.

Some employers treat their employees well. But many do not. Some employers seem to ignore the fact that hard working, loyal employees depend on their salaries and benefits to provide for their families and themselves.

Justice is not given; it is achieved. Without help from a competent, experienced lawyer, you may get nothing, or whatever pittance the insurance companies or employers choose to give you

• Car Accidents
• Personal Injury Litigation
• Trial Practice

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Visa & Mastercard only
• Contingent Fees
  Depends on the circumstances.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  ich Cassidy Law represents employees in employment law matters. Its lawyers have counseled more than a thousand employees. Our employment law and litigation attorneys understand the legal complexities involved in such cases. If you are having employment trouble, we understand that your circumstances are likely very difficult and that you need competent legal help. Sadly, in the United States, the law is not very favorable to employees, and as a result relatively few lawyers are available to help employees. We live in an employment-at-will nation, where unless the employee has an explicit contract (few do), an employer can fire an employee at any time and for any reason. There are many exceptions to this rule and representing employees in employment cases means finding the applicable exceptions and using them. The laws that prohibit discrimination, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act, require that workplace be free of discrimination

New York

Since 1979

Vermont

Since 1979

2nd Circuit

Since 1986

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1990

U.S. Supreme Court

ID Number: United States District Court for Northern District of New York

Since 1979

United States District Court for the District of Vermont

Since 1979

Co-founder, President

Rich Cassidy Law

2016 - Current

Co-founder, President and Director

Hoff Curtis

1989 - 2016

Mr. Cassidy's practice focuses on civil litigation, and in particular on labor and employment, personal injury, and commercial cases. Many of his cases have related to higher education, health care, and manufacturing. He often represents professionals in litigation and licensing matter. He also serves as a mediator and arbitrator.

Associate, Shareholder

Hoff, Wislon, Powell & Lang, P.C.

1982 - 1989

General Civil Practice with emphasis on civil litigation. Insurance defense litigation.

Associate

Law Office of David C. Drew

1980 - 1982

General Practice.

Law Clerk, Chief Law Clerk

Vermont Supreme Court

1978 - 1980

Law Clerk to Chief Justice Albert W. Barney, Jr. Provided counsel to the Office of Court Administrator and coordinate law clerk selection. Drafted pattern jury instructions. Law Clerk to Associate Justice Robert W. Larrow. Traditional appellate law clerk responsibilities, including intensive research and writing on the law of Vermont.

Albany Law School

J.D. (1978)

1975 - 1978

University of Vermont

B.A. (1975) | Political Science

1971 - 1975

President's Award

Vermont Bar Association

2015

Grassroots Advocacy Award

American Bar Association

2009

Advocate for Protecting the Attorney Client Privilege.

Jonathan B. Chase Award

American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont

1990

In recognition of his defense of the principles embodied in the Bill of Rights and the Vermont Constitution.

Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

Life Fellow

2018 - Current

Activities: Fellow 2003-2018; Vermont State Chair (former)

American Law Institute

Elected Member

2015 - Current

American Counsel Association

Member circa

2009 - Current

Activities: Director (former); President (former)

National Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1998 - Current

Vermont Association for Justice

Member

1995 - Current

Civil and Human Rights

Center For Research on Vermont and the Snelling Center For Government

January, 1999

Civil and Human Rights

Center For Research on Vermont and the Snelling Center For Government

January 2, 1999

Professional Courtesy in 21st Century VT, Mid Year Meeting, Zoom

June 16, 2020

Vermont Bar Association

Mediating Disputes

Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School

2021

The Art and Skills of Trial Advocacy

National Institute of Trial Advocacy

1984

Q. Fell through makeshift floor vent injuring my knee. Was working at a residence. Unsure who's responsible or what to do.

January 6, 2021

A: Your question doesn't tell us enough to answer it.

First, we need to know who owned and/or controlled the place where you were injured.

Second, we need to know why you were on the premises and what your status on there was.

Where you a tenant of the premises?

Where you there to transact business?

Had you been invited there?

Were you a trespasser?

Under current Vermont law your rights would differ in each situation.

Third, once we understand your status, we would need to evaluate whether the person who owned or controlled premises failed to take reasonable care to protect you, or people like you, from harm and/or showed willful and wanton disregard for your safety.

Fourth and finally, we would need to evaluate whether you took, or failed to take, reasonable steps to protect yourself.

With this information, we could evaluate whether you have a claim.

It sounds like you could use a consultation with an experienced Vermont personal injury lawyer. ... Read More