Supreme Court

In the Matter of Thomas F. Cotroneo. No. 2018-225-M.P.

O R D E R

This matter is before the Court pursuant to a motion filed by this Court’s Disciplinary 

Counsel on October 5, 2018, to adjudge the respondent, Thomas F. Cotroneo, in contempt of 

court, and to suspend him from the practice of law on an interim basis. The respondent was 

notified that the motion would be presented to this Court at its conference on November 15, 

2018. The respondent did not file an objection to the motion and failed to appear for the 

conference. Having reviewed the motion and the representations of Disciplinary Counsel, we 

deem that the motion should be granted.

The facts giving rise to this matter are as follows. On June 8, 2018, Disciplinary Counsel 

received a complaint alleging that respondent had settled personal injury claims on behalf of 

clients, withheld funds from his clients’ settlements to pay medical bills, and failed to remit those 

payments on the clients’ behalf. A copy of that complaint was forwarded to respondent on June 

13, 2018, directing him to file a written response to the complaint on or before July 3, 2018. The

respondent failed to comply. On July 12, 2018, a second notice was sent by Disciplinary 

Counsel to respondent, via certified mail, directing him to file a response on or before July 23, 

2018. That certified mail was received by respondent on July 19, 2018. The respondent did not 

file a response after receipt of that correspondence.

On August 9, 2018, Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition with this Court pursuant to 

Article III, Rule 6(e) of the Supreme Court Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for Attorneys,

requesting that we enter an order compelling respondent to file his answer or be suspended from 
the practice of law. On August 27, 2018, prior to the petition being heard, respondent filed a 

belated response to the disciplinary complaint that failed to address the issues raised in the 

complaint or to account for the funds respondent had received on behalf of his clients.

On September 13, 2018, at the request of Disciplinary Counsel, the Clerk of the Supreme 

Court issued a subpoena to respondent directing him to appear at the Office of Disciplinary 

Counsel on October 4, 2018, to answer questions regarding the complaint and to provide his 

financial records relating to the clients at issue. The respondent was served with that subpoena 

on September 21, 2018. He failed to appear at the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or to provide 

the subpoenaed records.

We do not hesitate to find that the respondent is in contempt. He has flagrantly

disregarded his obligation to respond to a lawful request for information from Disciplinary 

Counsel, in violation of Article V, Rule 8.1 of the Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct, 

and has refused to comply with a duly-authorized subpoena issued by the Clerk of this Court. 

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the respondent, Thomas F. 

Cotroneo, is hereby suspended from engaging in the practice of law in this state, effective 

immediately, until further order of this Court.

Entered as an Order of this Court this 16th Day of November, 2018.

By Order,

______________/s/_________________

 Clerk
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE

ORDER COVER SHEET

Title of Case In the Matter of Thomas F. Cotroneo.

Case Number No. 2018-225-M.P.

Date Order Filed November 16, 2018

Justices Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and 

Indeglia, JJ.

Source of Appeal N/A

Judicial Officer From Lower Court N/A

Attorney(s) on Appeal

For Petitioner:

David D. Curtin, Esq.

Chief Disciplinary Counsel

For Respondent:

Thomas F. Cotroneo, Pro Se 

SU-CMS-02B (revised November 2016)