Higgins’ Kincaid named Rising Star by Super Lawyers

What stands out for me, more than the individual cases I have worked on, are the clients.
What stands out for me, more than the individual cases I have worked on, are the clients.

Kelly A. Kincaid, a litigation associate at Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney LLP, was recently recognized as a Rising Star by New England Super Lawyers for the second year in a row. Kincaid specializes in defending retail and hospitality clients regarding premises liability actions filed in both state and federal courts. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Defense Counsel of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Bar Association. She also serves on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association. Kincaid holds a B.A. in history from Providence College and a J.D. with a concentration in international law from Suffolk University Law School.

PBN: After receiving a bachelor’s degree in history, have you been able to use this analytic degree to your advantage?
KINCAID: I believe that my degree in history provided a baseline of analytical skills which translate into the practice of law. I chose to study history because I enjoy the stories that make up the events and people of the past. I believe that learning and understanding the past assists in developing a more comprehensive view of the world today. Practicing law requires similar analytical skills. Taking a comprehensive view of your client’s goals in handling claims and in developing a strategy in litigation is helpful in providing exceptional representation for any client.

PBN: You specialize in premises and product liability, as well as insurance claims for corporate clients. Could you tell me more about some of the cases you have handled?
KINCAID: What stands out for me, more than the individual cases I have worked on, are the clients. As an attorney representing some of the largest retail and insurance clients in the nation, I am afforded an excellent opportunity to see beyond the public image of those companies and into the inner workings of these organizations. For example, in the context of my retail clients, I will get to know not only the corporate and legal side of the business but also the local employees and managers. This puts me in a unique position to really understand how the corporate entity operates in its implementation of its policies and directives, the responsibilities of management, and the practical application of the corporate mission by employees. This multidimensional perspective allows me to provide a comprehensive defense for my clients.
PBN: Have you noticed any trends while working with this industry?
KINCAID: One trend in the retail and hospitality industry that I have noticed develop over the last couple of years is the emphasis on video surveillance. Video surveillance was primarily used in the past to monitor assets from theft, however, video surveillance is now an integral part of handling claims and litigation. … Educating our clients on how video surveillance effects the prelitigation negotiations, discovery process once in suit and use in trial has become a newer development in this industry. •

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