Dana M Horton

Practice Areas

Insurance Coverage + Bad Faith Litigation, Complex Commercial Litigation, Large Loss Property Subrogation, Marine + Products Liability, Arbitration + Mediation

Career

Dana M. Horton is a trial lawyer with more than twenty years of experience representing and advising corporate and insurance company clients in complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on property and liability insurance coverage, extra-contractual/bad faith claims, large loss property subrogation, and product liability matters. She is a member of our firm’s Insurance + Reinsurance group.

Insurance Coverage + Bad Faith Litigation

Dana has counseled and represented clients in numerous high-exposure cases involving a wide variety of insurance lines and issues, including commercial property, business income and extra expense, builder’s risk, excess and surplus lines, and homeowners and automobile coverages. She works with carriers starting at the outset of a claim, providing guidance and advice to ensure compliance with applicable state laws and regulations, and adherence to good faith claims handling practices. She has handled numerous appraisals and references, mediations, arbitrations, and trials, throughout New England at the state, federal and appellate levels. Since April 2020, she has represented clients with regard to numerous substantial claims of loss and damage, allegedly stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Complex Commercial Litigation

Dana has represented corporate clients in general civil litigation and complex commercial matters throughout New England. She has represented and defended hospitals and health care centers in medical malpractice matters. She has assisted corporate clients in breach of contract and related commercial actions and has assisted on complex ERISA disputes, bankruptcy matters, construction and construction defect litigation, unfair trade practices, and a wide range of other business disputes.

Large Loss Property Subrogation, Marine + Products Liability

Working on behalf of some of the world’s largest insurers and reinsurers, Dana has handled countless subrogation claims, including fires, explosions, water damage, roof failures, construction defects, product defects, locomotive accidents, airplane catastrophes, chimney fires, boiler failures, and motor vehicle, yacht and marina claims. She assists her client at the outset of a claim, including investigating the circumstances and causes of each incident in order to maximize recovery effectively and efficiently. She assists with the origin and cause investigation, working with national experts and consultants to determine whether subrogation potential exists and identifying potential responsible parties. Dana has successfully litigated, tried, and resolved large loss subrogation matters throughout New England.

Arbitration + Mediation

In addition to utilizing ADR strategies in her own practice for her clients, Dana serves as both a mediator and arbitrator in Rhode Island, through her participation in the court-annexed arbitration program, the annual Settlement Week program implemented by the Rhode Island Superior Court, and privately.

Professional Memberships

United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island: Federal Court Advisory Council (2023 - present);

National Association of Subrogation Professionals;

Defense Research Institute;

American Bar Association: Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee

Rhode Island Bar Association: Executive Committee (2019 - present), Secretary (2023 - present), House of Delegates (2009 - present), Superior Court Bench/Bar Committee (2006 - present), Superior Court Bench/Bar Committee Chair (2016 - 2019), Federal Court Bench/Bar Committee, Leadership Academy Task Force (2024 - present), Federal Court Local Advisory Council (2022 - present), Annual Meeting Planning Committee 2009-2011 (2021 - present), Annual Meeting Planning Committee Chair (2021 - 2022);

Rhode Island Bar Foundation: Fellow (2017 - present);

Rhode Island Women's Bar Association;

Defense Counsel of Rhode Island;

Connecticut Bar Association;

New London County Bar Association: Board of Directors (2010 - 2014), President (2013 - 2014);

Massachusetts Bar Association;

New Hampshire Bar Association;

Vermont Bar Association;

Maine State Bar Association;

Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel

Personal

Dana assists Perspectives Corporation, a Rhode Island entity that provides residential and vocational opportunities to individuals with disabilities, with the appointment of health care guardians. She frequently coordinates community food and holiday gift drives for our firm’s Providence, Rhode Island office through the various committees and organizations for which she volunteers her time. She is a member of the Human Rights Committee for Perspectives as well.

Upon graduation from law school, Dana completed a one-year judicial clerkship with the State of Connecticut Superior Court. She serves as the co-chair of Robinson+Cole’s Wellbeing Committee. Dana is also the former co-chair and current member of our firm’s Women’s Committee and an active member of our firm’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, + Belonging Committee. She is a strong mentor advocate and assists with training colleagues with respect to the importance of mentoring.

Awards