Governing the smallest state in terms of area, Rhode Island law has developed from its origins in colonial times into one of the most robust bodies of law in the country.

The judiciary of Rhode Island consists of a Supreme Court at the top, with a Superior Court, District Court, Family Court and Workers' Compensation Court beneath the top court.

The Workers' Compensation Court has a rather unique aspect: an appellate court. It is the only tribunal in the state judiciary to have an intermediate Appellate Division to hear cases from the trial court.

You should know:

1. Rhode Island state laws form one of the most liberal bodies of law in the country. Rhode Island has traditionally been a very liberal state.

2. Rhode Island law firms from Providence are the biggest in the state. Neighboring firms from Massachusetts and Connecticut often have lawyers who can practice in Rhode Island.

3. Rhode Island is unique in having no county government. It has 39 municipal governments which serve as the local regulatory bodies.

4. Everyone aged 60 or older in Rhode Island is eligible for a free half-hour consultation with a lawyer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know where to find information about Rhode Island state laws

There are many good websites available for finding information about the laws of Rhode Island.

I recommend: The State of Rhode Island publishes the complete Rhode Island statutes, along with a search engine to help look for a particular statute. Rhode Island cases can be found on the Judiciary of Rhode Island's robust website, which gives access to recent Supreme Court and Superior Court decisions, as well as appellate decisions from the Workers' Compensation Court.

Utilize websites providing more detailed information about law in Rhode Island

Gain a better understanding of laws in Rhode Island through these websites.

I recommend: Probably the best website to get further information about Rhode Island state law is located at HelpRILaw.org, which provides information on specific legal topics as well as a library of legal materials and people who can help with a specific legal problem. The Rhode Island Attorney General offers interpretations of various legal issues as well as a place for the general public to file a complaint or ask questions.

Know where to find Rhode Island lawyers and Rhode Island law firms

There are several good places to go to find a Rhode Island law firm or Rhode Island attorney.

I recommend: The Rhode Island Bar Association association offers a listing of all lawyers in Rhode Island who are members of the bar, in addition to a lawyer referral program and legal links index. AllLaw.com is another website that offers an extensive listing of Rhode Island attorneys and Rhode Island law firms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If looking for a bigger Rhode Island firm, check out Rhode Island law firms and Rhode Island attorneys from Providence first.