Richard A. O’Connor is a trial lawyer who has exclusively represented physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice litigation for more than 35 years. Over the past 35 years Richard has tried approximately 80 medical malpractice cases to verdict with such cases representing a diverse experience in a wide variety of medical fields and issues, including numerous cases involving significant high exposure cases. Richard has also handled appeals to the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Court. His approach to medical malpractice litigation combines a detailed and thoughtful approach to the medical issues so as to effectuate through the litigation process successful outcomes that have met or exceeded the goals and expectations of his clients. Attorney O’Connor graduated from Fairfield University, cum laude, and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. He further obtained his law degree from the Catholic University of America and began his practice of representing healthcare providers in 1986. Richard has been elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates achieving the rank of advocate and further was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America (2003 – 2024) and listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers (2007 – 2018, 2021 – 2023) as one of the top medical malpractice defense lawyers in Connecticut. In 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2024 he was selected as Lawyer of the Year Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants (New Haven) by the Best Lawyers in America. Richard has also received the highest Martindale-Hubbell professional rating of AV. In 2023, in recognition of his legal representation of orthopedic physicians in the state, he was elected an honorary member of the Connecticut Orthopedic Society.
Practice Areas
- Healthcare Law and Litigation
- Professional Malpractice
- General Litigation
- Medical Malpractice Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut Superior, 1985
- U.S. District Court Connecticut, 1985
- Second Circuit Court of Appeals, 2001
- Supreme Court of U.S., 2002
Education
- 1982 B.S. Business Management cum laude – Fairfield University
Varsity Ice Hockey - 1985 J.D. Catholic University of America
Memberships
- Abota