Brian W. Haynes
Counsel
Phone
Brian W. Haynes is a trial lawyer whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, insurance coverage litigation, product liability, premises liability, liquor liability, and other complex civil matters. He has extensive experience representing individuals and businesses, including prominent domestic and international companies, in state and federal court and in international arbitration.
In the area of insurance coverage litigation, Brian has experience with bad faith, defense and indemnification, subrogation, and a variety of first- and third-party coverages, including commercial general liability, builder’s risk, homeowner’s, auto, and marine policies.
Brian represents clients at all stages of litigation, including jury trials and appeals. He has appeared and argued before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and has contributed to briefs submitted to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Prior to joining Casner & Edwards, Brian was a partner at Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney.
Honors & Awards
The Best Lawyers in America – Insurance Law, 2024-2025
The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch,” – Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2021-2022
New England Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" – General Litigation, Personal Injury – General, Insurance Coverage, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2020-2022
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court – District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court – District of Rhode Island
JD, cum laude, Suffolk University Law School
BA, College of William and Mary
Experience
- Obtained partial summary judgment from Rhode Island Superior Court in commercial general liability coverage litigation and successfully defended appeal before the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
- Obtained partial dismissal of product liability claims against designer/manufacturer and distributor/seller of FDA-approved medical devices in Rhode Island federal court on grounds of express and implied federal preemption and lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Defended prominent entertainment company through trial in high profile state court litigation arising out of mass casualty event during a live performance.
- Defended UK-based designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial equipment in subrogation and product liability arbitration seated before the ICC International Court of Arbitration.
- Member, Defense Council of Rhode Island (DCRI)
- Member, Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA)
- Member, Rhode Island Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
