Attorney Profiles

Attorney Richard K. Corley has established himself as one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in the State of Rhode Island, achieving positive outcomes in essentially every type of criminal case that exists in the state. In his 25 years as a criminal defense attorney, Richard has won (and lost) almost every type of criminal case in every Rhode Island courthouse and in front of almost every judge currently sitting on the bench. He has represented clients charged with everything from petty larceny to sexual assault, from robbery to murder. Notably, Rick has obtained an impressive six murder acquittals a feat few lawyers in Rhode Island have achieved.

Rick believes that criminal defense is a noble profession, and views the work that he has done as a criminal defense attorney as a vital part of our free society. When asked how he chooses to practice law, Rick Corley always responds with: "a holistic approach." He believes there is more to the legal practice than being a "lawyer," and instead chooses to identify himself as an "advocate" and a "counselor at law." To Rick, the legal profession is so much more than "winning" in court it is about reaching an outcome that will better his clients' lives. That is why his practice entails an amount and quality of support that is rarely seen from his colleagues, and is rarely limited to providing legal advice or appearing in court. Instead, Richard K. Corley uses his 25 years of experience and excellent reputation in the community to help clients pursue an education, find housing and employment, and more often than not, enroll in substance abuse programs. Rick understands that the majority of his clients have had substance abuse issues, and has been an active member of the Board of Directors at Kent House, Inc., a substance abuse treatment facility, for more than a decade. Recently, Richard received the Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award for his outstanding pro bono and community service work at Kent House.

In fact, Rick takes great pride in his involvement with community-based organizations. Richard has served on the Warwick Zoning Board for over three years, and for over two decades Rick has served on the Board of Trustees for the Community Preparatory School in Providence, R.I. Community Prep is dedicated to preparing its 150 mostly minority and low-income students to go to college and become leaders in their communities. During Richard's time on the Board, he has seen the school's rate of college-bound students exceed more than twice the rate of Rhode Island's urban public schools.

Rick is constantly working to better himself as an attorney and enhance the quality of the legal profession. He has taken an active part in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, which in turn led him to become one of the founding members of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. For over 25 years, Rick has been expanding his knowledge and understanding of the law by attending (and lecturing at) countless legal conferences and seminars. In fact, when the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court established the Rhode Island Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission years ago, he appointed Richard to one of the positions. Rick has served on that Commission ever since.

Rick Corley's deep devotion to criminal defense is evident in almost everything he does. He has served on several ad hoc committees to decide how to provide quality representation of indigent defendants. He has served as Legislative Counsel to the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee since 2004, drafting and revising laws to create a fairer and more balanced Criminal Justice System. And perhaps most importantly, Richard demonstrates his unwavering advocacy in every criminal case he has, whether it is challenging the validity of a ticket at the Traffic Tribunal or defending someone against charges of multiple homicides. He has represented clients in everything from relatively simple proceedings to a three-month trial involving several members of the Latin King gang. Regardless of the crimes charged, Richard K. Corley will fight for the best disposition for his clients.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Defense
• Personal Injury/Plaintiff Litigation
• Civil Rights/Constitutional Law
• Disciplinary Proceedings Regarding Professional Licenses, Students, etc.
• Political/State, Local and Municipal Law
• Appellate Law

Litigation Percentage

• 75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Rhode Island, 1983
• U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island, 1983
• U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2000

Education

• George Washington University National Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 1983
  J.D.
  
  
• Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1978
  B.S.
  Honors: Summa Cum Laude
  Honors: With Distinction
  Honors: Dean's List
  Honors: Graduated 1st in class (only graduate to graduate summa cum laude)
  Major: Criminal Justice
  
  

Representative Cases

• Shatney v. State, 755 A.2d 130 (R.I. S.Ct. 2000)
• State v. Ballard, 699 A.2d 14 (R.I. S.Ct. 1997)
• State v. Evans, 668 A.2d 1256 (R.I. S.Ct. 1996)
• State v. Ratchford, 730 A.2d 120 (R.I. S.Ct. 1999)

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Cross-Examination and Voir Dire, RIACDL
• Advanced Methods of Trial Practice, R.I. Bar Association
• Direct Examination of the Defendant, NACDL
• Direct Examination of the Defendant, LACDL

Honors and Awards

• Dorothy Lohmann Community Service Award, RI Bar Association, 2007

Professional Associations and Memberships

• NACDL, 1987 - Present
  Former Member of Board of Directors, Current Member
  
  
• RIACDL
  Founding Member, Former President and VP, Current Member
  
  
• R.I. Supreme Ct. MCLE Commission, 1997 - Present
  Member
  
  
• R.I. Bar Association, 1983 - Present
  Member
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• Corley Taveras, LLP, Partner, 2004 - 2008
• Richard K. Corley, Attorney at Law, Solo Practitioner, 1992 - 2004
• City of Warwick Zoning Board, Board Member, 2005 - Present
• City of Warwick Charter Review Commission, Member, 2005
• R.I. Senate Judiciary Committee, Legislative Counsel, 2004 - Present
• Lovett, Schefrin, Gallogly and Harnett, Chief of Criminal Defense Dept., 1989 - 1992
• State of R.I. Office of the Public Defender, Chief Attorney of County Offices, 1984 - 1989
• Vetter & White, Associate, 1983 - 1984

Birth Information

• 1956