Biography
After 32 years as a shareholder, Dick Campbell became Of Counsel to the firm on September 1, 2015. Dick will continue his efforts and contributions to keep the firm among the most prominent and recognized trial practice firms in the country.
Dick Campbell primarily represents national and international corporations in complex cases, including multi-district litigation, class actions, aviation, toxic tort and products liability disputes. He also represents clients in commercial disputes, including contests over the control of closely held corporations. He is one of seven national trial counsel for Caterpillar Inc., and, in August 2009, after five years of contentious litigation, concluded a nationally certified class action with decertification of the class, an involuntary dismissal with prejudice and an assessment of costs against the class representative.
Dick Campbell is lead trial counsel for one of the commercial airlines in the litigation pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit arising out of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein appointed him to the Aviation Defendants’ Executive Committee ("ADEC") as Representative of the “Non-Carrier” Airlines Group. Under the leadership of its Liaison Counsel, Desmond T. Barry, Jr., the ADEC is responsible for coordinating the overall management of the procedural aspects of the litigation.
Dick is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and holds or has held numerous significant positions. He is a Past President of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Dick is Founding Chair of the Board of Overseers at Boston College Law School and was awarded Boston College Law School’s highest honor, the Founders Medal. He serves as Trustee of the University of Massachusetts and is a member of the UMass Building Authority. Richard Campbell is a member of the ABA’s Task Force on Legal Education.
Featured in Boston Magazine, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and the Boston Business Journal, Dick is also a frequent resource for television and radio programs on topics such as litigation, social host liability and the law.
Publications & Presentations
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Why the state bar association counts, August 2012
Farewell address, written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Moving forward - The law economy, dashed hopes for newly admitted lawyers, and the law school paradigm, July, 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
The Hallmarks of Excellence, June, 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Fundamental fairness and judicial compensation, May, 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Banning underage drinking parties - a matter of public health and safety, April 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
When the Law School Bubble Finally Bursts, March 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Letter from the President of the Mass Bar Association, February 23, 2012
published in The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel -
Imminent threat to the Rule of Law, February 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
The risks of an underfunded judiciary, February 8, 2012
posted on Boston.com, the online version of the Boston Globe -
Media's Portrayal of Judges Falls Short, January 2012
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Diminished courthouse security, the rule of law, December 2011
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Safety, security, constitutional imperative in Probate and Family Court, November 2011
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
A Toxic View of Public Life, October 2011
written for the "President's View" column of the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal -
Beginning the 2012 year with Purpose and Promise, September, 2011
Inaugural President's Column, Massachusetts Lawyers Journal, September, 2011 -
Direct and Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses, May, 2011
Watch the video of the CLE presentation at the MBA Centennial Conference -
In Memoriam - John McCarthy Roll, February 2011
Massachusetts Bar Association, Lawyers Journal, February, 2011 -
Speaking Truth to Power, April 2011
Massachusetts Bar Association, Lawyers Journal, April 2011, Pg. 3 -
Tri-Towns Business Hoes and CEOs, Op-Ed article on Underage Drinking, Distorted Values, and Misogynistic Treatment of Young Women, April 2011
The Sun Chronicle, April 4, 2010 - GM Cobalt Ignition Switch Investigation and Recall,, CLE program to In-house lawyers and field performance engineers regarding the Cobalt Recall. August, 2014
- A Conversation with the Legends: In Celebration of the American Jury Trial, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. October, 2014
- Underage Drinking and Sexual Assaults, in Lawyers Weekly, 2011
- Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Fear of Flying and the Aviation Non-Event, Aviation and Space Law Committee, International Association of Defense Counsel, Midyear Meeting La Quinta, California, 2006
- Keeping America's Judiciary Independent, American College of Trial Lawyers, Annual Meeting, 2005
- The Kean Commission Findings: In or Out?, International Association of Defense Counsel, Annual Meeting Colorado Springs, 2005
- After the Crisis: Assuring Compliance, Integrity and Profitability in a Post-Enron World, International Association of Defense Counsel, Corporate Counsel College, Chicago, Illinois, 2005
- Choice of Venue in Mass Tort Litigation: Considerations and Procedures, The Sedona Conference, Sedona, Arizona, 2005
- Terrorism Insurance and War Risk Exclusions, Practical Views from the Cockpit to the Courtroom, Aviation and Space Law Committee, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association, American Bar Association Washington, D.C., 2004
- America Acts, Swift Legislative Responses to the September 11 Attacks, 69 Def. Couns. J. 139, 2002
- September 11th Victim Compensation Fund: A Model for the Future?, Liability and Insurance after September 11th, Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, 2002
- Admissibility of Test Films, Videotapes and Computer-Generated Technical Evidence, American Bar Association, Aviation Challenges in an Uncertain World, Washington, DC, 2002
- How to Conduct a Killer Cross Examination, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Spring Conference, Denver Colorado, 2002
- Multi-Disciplinary Practice in the United States, The Federal Lawyer, Volume 46, No. 8, 1999
- Issues Management in the Global Economy: Jurisdictional Pitfalls Facing International Businesses, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), 1999
- Multidisciplinary Partnerships: The Big 5 Practising Law. The American Response to MDP, International Association of Defense Counsel, 1999
- In-House vs. Outside Experts: When, Why & How You Should Use Each Defense Research Institute, Product Liability Seminar, 1998
- Strategic Considerations: Pre-Trial Settlement, Trial and Evidence Gone Wrong, Advanced Legal Studies CLE, Suffolk University Law School, September, 1997
- Perspectives on the Defense of Product Liability Cases, Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, May, 1997
- Toxic Exposure Cases: A New Trend, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Requests For Class Action Certification of Medical Monitoring Claims, 1995
- Trial Advocacy in Rhode Island, National Business Institutes, November, 1995
- It's a Whole New Ball Game: Playing by the New Civil Rules, Law Firm Management Under the New Rules, 61 Def. Couns. J. 197, 1994
- NITA Advanced Trial Advocacy: Use of Demonstrative Evidence, Massachusetts Bar Association/ Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, August, 1994
- The Defense Lawyer's Liability Exposure to an Institutional Client, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), July, 1994
- Law Firm Management Under the New Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), February, 1994
- Investigative Techniques in the Defense of the Crashworthiness Case, The Crashworthiness Doctrine in Products Liability, 1992
- Environmental Law and Litigation Simplified, Co-Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), July, 1992
- Review of Civil and Criminal Enforcement Actions Against Massachusetts Banks Under State and Federal Law, Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter and Massachusetts Bankers Association, May, 1992
- National Institute on Emerging Issues in Automobile Product Liability Litigation, March, 1992
- Cost Containment and Case Budgets, Monster Litigation II, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), July, 1992
- Enforcing Protective Orders: Getting Them is Only Part of the Job, 58 Def. Couns. J. 318 , 1991
- Protective Orders: Safeguard or Misnomer?, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), 1991
- Federal Pre-emption, Wood and Beyond, Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 1991
- Ethical Considerations in Making Discovery Decisions, Tort & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association, 1990
- Protective Orders: How to Get Them; How to Enforce Them, Product Liability Advisory Council, 1990
- Closing Arguments, Suffolk University School of Law, 1990
- Protective Orders in Product Liability Litigation: Safeguard or Misnomer?, 31 B.C.L. Rev. 771, 1990
- Protective Orders: The Need to Protect, Keynote Speaker, Annual Meeting, National Association of Attorneys General, 1990
- Defense Strategy, Planning and Tactics, Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), 1989
- Recognizing the Value of Seat Belts in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Cases, 11 J. Prod. Liab. 1, 1988
- Protective Orders and the Public Right of Access to Discovery, 11 J. Prod. Liab. 199, 1988
- Protective Orders and Related Constitutional Questions, Products Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), 1988
- The Effect of Federal Safety Regulations on Crashworthiness Litigation, 22 Tort and Ins. L. J. 554, 1987
- The Admissibility of Prior Testimony of Out of Court Experts, 39 Rutgers L. Rev. 111, 1986
- Be a Parent - Not a Pal, Social Host Liability Presentations, 2003 - Ongoing
- It's ALL about YOU, Social Host Liability Presentations, 2006 - Ongoing
Memberships & Leadership Positions
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American College of Trial Lawyers
- Fellow
- Chair, Adjunct State Committee, 2002-present
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Boston College Law School
- Board of Overseers, 2000 - 2009
- Founding Chair, Board of Overseers, 2000 - 2007
- Treasurer and Vice President, Alumni Council, 1990 - 1994
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Massachusetts Bar Association
- President, 2011 - 2012
- President-Elect, 2010 - 2011
- Vice President, 2009 - 2010
- Attorney Chair, Bench Bar Committee, 2002 - 2003
- Secretary, 2000 - 2001
- Board of Delegates, 1991 - 1993; 1995 - 1998; 2000 - 2001
- Co-Chair, Lawyer Advertising Committee, 1993 - 1996
- Council Member, Section of Criminal Justice, 1993 - 1997
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American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- Chair, 2001-2002
- National Trial Academy
- Director, 2006
- Director-Elect, 2005
- Committee Member, 2007-Present
- Robert B. McKay Law Professor Awards Committee
- Past Chair, 2007-2008
- Chair, 2006-2007
- Member, Section Council, 1996-1999
- Vice-Chair, Aviation and Space Law Committee, 2006-2007
- Member, Ethics and Professionalism Committee
- Member, Task Force on Disaster Insurance Coverage
- Chair, Task Force on September 11th Victim's Compensation Fund of 2001, 2001-2002
- Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, 1999-2001
- Chair, Task Force on Multi-Disciplinary Practices, 1999-2001
- Appointed Chair, Task Force on Auto Choice Legislation, 1997-2000
- Appointed TIPS Representative, American Board of Trial Advocates Civil Trial Bar Conferences, 1997-2003
- Appointed Member, Task Force Proposed Changes to Rule 68, 1995-1996
- Appointed Member, Ad Hoc Task Force on Civil Justice Panel, 1994-1996
- Chair, Annual Meeting Program, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1993-1994
- Chair, National Institute on Emerging Issues in Automobile Product Liability Litigation 1991, 1992
- Chair, Products General Liability and Consumer Law Committee, 1990-1991
- Fellow, ABA Foundation
- Presidential Appointments
- Member, Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs, 2005-2006
- Member, Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, 2002-2005
- Member, Special Committee on Funding the Judiciary, 2003-2004
- Member, Task Force on Homeland Security
- Member, Task Force on Terrorism and the Law, 2001-2002
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
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International Association of Defense Counsel
- Dean, Corporate Counsel College, 2005
- Member, Executive Committee, 1996-1999
- Chair, CLE Board, 1996-1999
- Chair, Open Forum Committee, 1994-1995
- Chair,Toxic and Hazardous Substances Committee, 1992-1994
- Faculty Member, Defense Counsel Trial Academy, University of Colorado, 1991
- Member, International Practice, Products Liability and Aviation Committees
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Product Liability Advisory Council
- Member, Executive Committee, 1995-1997
- Trustee, PLAC Foundation
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Defense Research Institute
- Amicus Curiae Committee, 1995-1997
- Product Liability Committee
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Federal Bar Association
- President, Massachusetts Chapter, 1993-1994
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Massachusetts Bar Foundation
- Board of Trustees, 1996-2001, 2008-
- Vice President and Treasurer
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Boston Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Task Force on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice, 2001
- Chair, 2002 Law Day Dinner Reception
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United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Civil Justice Advisory Group, established pursuant to the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990
- Merit Selection Panel for Magistrate Judge, 2009
- Appointed Member, 1991
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Catholic Charities
- Board of Trustees, 1996 - 2001
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Boston College
- President's Circle
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Supreme Judicial Court Historical Society
- Board of Overseers, 1991-1994
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Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States (ICCUSA)
- Board of Directors, 1996
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Boston College High School
- Fides
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Notre Dame Academy, Hingham
- Board of Trustees, 1997 - 2002
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University of Massachusetts
- Board of Trustees, 2011 -
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University of Massachusetts Building Authority
- Member, 2011 -
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American Board of Trial Advocates
- Advocate
Honors & Awards
- The Charitable Irish Society, Silver Key Award
- University of Massachusetts Boston 2014 Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service
- Inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- Boston College Law School Founders Medal
- American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Hecker Award
- Boston College Law School Kenealey Award
- University of Massachusetts Outstanding Alumni Award
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association Defense Lawyer of the Year Award
- MIAA Partners Wellness Partner of the Year Award
- Selected by his peers for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America" in the field of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, and in the field of Products Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Selected by his peers as the Best Lawyers’ 2012 Boston Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Lawyer of the Year
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- Listed in the Who's Who Legal for Product Liability Defence
- Listed as a Litigation Star in Benchmark Litigation
- Super Lawyer designation since 2005
Community Involvement
- Catholic Charities (Board of Trustees, 1996 - 2001)
- Notre Dame Academy, Hingham (Board of Trustees, 1997 - 2000)
- Special Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County, 1991 - 1992
- Boston College High School (Fides)
- Greater Boston Elder Services
- Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States (ICCUSA) (Board of Directors, 1996)
- University of Massachusetts (Member, Board of Trustees)
- Supreme Judicial Court Historical Society (Board of Overseers, 1991 - 1994)
- Regular presentations on Social Host Liability to schools and community organizations throughout the State
