Top Providence Attorney Joe Rodio Dies
Thursday, October 15, 2015
One of Rhode Island's top attorneys has died -- Joe Rodio, Sr., the founding member of Rodio & Ursillo. Rodio was considered one of the region's top labor attorneys.
He founded his firm in 1980 with David R. Ursillo, Sr. and piled up many of the most prominent clients in the region, ranging from the Providence Bruins to the Town of Cumberland to the Providence Police Union.
A top advisor to many candidates and elected officials, Rodio was the blend of top legal mind and smart political counsel.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I brought Joe in to advise the board of education when we began the reorganization. His counsel was concise, firm and effective. His loyalty and friendship is something I will always treasure. He was a passionate advocate and fiercely loyal. It is a very sad day for Rhode Island," Eva-Marie Mancuso, former Chair of the RI Board of Education.
He had an extensive knowledge and experience in both ERISA/Taft Hartley and public pension plans. This allowed Rodio to grow his firm to many management-side clients such as State of Rhode Island agencies and municipal governments. Often times, his superior work on pension issues led Rodio to expand his representation into all aspects of employment and municipal law.
Taft Mazzotti who worked with Rodio as President of the Providence FOP, said, "He was an attorney, and a friend and advisor. His impact, his influence....he will be missed."
Rodio came to be respected in the field of sports law. He has served as general counsel to a American Hockey League. Throughout the years, other professional sports leagues have sought his counsel in a variety of sports matters. Joe also represents health and welfare trusts that exist to oversee health care coverage of professional athletes.
"When I was the mayor of Providence he represented the firefighters during our negotiations. He was a worthy adversary that always kept his word. Later in life our friendship grew. His advice on business, civic and personal matters was always sincere. Clients, colleagues, friends, family and the community as a whole will deeply feel this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I lost a good friend today," said former Providence Mayor and US Ambassador Joseph Paolino.
"Joe Rodio was a true friend who you could always count on. Joe’s work ethic, intelligence and natural ability made him a premier advisor and counselor," said George Zainyeh, former top aide to U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and former-Governor Lincoln Chafee. "His compassion and insight made him an invaluable mentor."
He was a graduate of Suffolk University School of Law, J.D., 1975 and Boston University, B.A. in History and Theology, 1970. Arrangements are pending.
UPDATED 11:55 PM, October 14th.
