Biography

Derek is a seasoned litigator who has experience representing his clients’ interests at all stages of litigation.

Derek’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts across multiple jurisdictions. He has experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide array of subject areas, including health care, financial services and banking, construction, commercial contracts, class actions, consumer protection, and business torts. Derek also assists clients in dispute avoidance by advising them on relevant legal and regulatory issues that impact their policies and procedures, and daily business operations. Regardless of the setting, Derek is a passionate advocate for his clients who analyzes complex legal issues and identifies effective strategies for their resolution.

Derek has significant experience representing health care providers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies on matters ranging from patient privacy and standard of care disputes to fraud and abuse laws and investigations. He also advises health care providers in matters relating to Medicare and Medicaid, professional liability, and state laws pertaining to the provision of telehealth services.

Derek’s banking and finance practice includes representing national banks and financial services companies in disputes arising out of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Uniform Commercial Code, and state and federal consumer protection laws and regulations. Derek has also advised banking clients on establishing the appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the National Bank Act, and various state laws pertaining to unclaimed property, garnishment of customer accounts, and trust management and conversions.

During law school, Derek served as a judicial extern to the Honorable William P. Robinson III of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and was a Notes Editor for the Boston College Journal of Law & Social Justice.

When he is not in the office, Derek can usually be found outside or in the kitchen. He enjoys hiking up and skiing down New England’s many mountains, as well as experimenting with new recipes, often with varying levels of success.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Boston College Law School  (J.D., cum laude)
  • Boston College  (B.A.)

Bar Admissions

  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Rhode Island Bar Association

Honors

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch© under Commercial Litigation in Boston, Massachusetts (2021-2023)

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Firm Highlights

Blog

Tesla’s Cybertruck Raffle

On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know • S/X: 3,500 credits (referrer) &bull...

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Blog

New Options for Retirement Plan Distributions Under SECURE 2.0

This post summarizes the new distribution options, including penalty-free withdrawals, applicable to defined contribution plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) and provides a timeline of their effective dates. The new...

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

News

Verrill Welcomes Partner Andrew M. Walsh to Firm’s Business Law Group

Blog

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Remember that old parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we used to sing before there was an Internet? There are apparently many versions, but they all generally involve children inflicting various types...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

Publication/Podcast

U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad with Ruth Mattson

Verrill partner Ruth Mattson was recently featured on The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel 's podcast series Trust and Estate Talk . In this podcast, U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad...

Publication/Podcast

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark...

Event

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups

Verrill associate Emily Waddell will be presenting at PROPEL 's Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups. In addition to presenters sharing their expertise, this session covers various Human Resource topics including...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700