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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. 

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.

Pro Bono

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 served as the former 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 a former 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.

  • New England School of Law (Juris Doctor, magna cum laude)
  • University of Rhode Island (Bachelors)
    • B.A.

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • State of Connecticut
  • State of Maine
  • State of New Hampshire
  • State of Rhode Island
  • State of Vermont
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court, District of Vermont

Received a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the State of Connecticut in the area of Insurance for 2024, 2025, and 2026

Recognized as a Legal Services Industry Leader as part of the Providence Business News 2024 Business Women Awards

Named a "Law Firm Mental Health & Well Being Initiative" finalist as part of Corporate Counsel's 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards

Robinson+Cole Wellbeing Award, 2025

Recognized as a 2021 Leader in the Law by Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly

Recognized in Rhode Island Monthly's Professional Excellence in Law awards in the area of Insurance from 2020 to 2026

Providence Business Journal, 2010 "40 Under Forty"

Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Litigation-Insurance since 2016, in the areas of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendant for 2022, and in the area of Mediation for 2023

Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award Recipient, 2021

Robinson+Cole Community Service Award Recipient, 2023

New England Law Alumni Association

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)
President (2026 - present)
President-elect (2025 - 2026)
Treasurer (2024 - 2025)
Secretary (2023 - 2024)
House of Delegates (2009 - present)
Superior Court Bench/Bar Committee (2006 - present)
Chair, Superior Court Bench/Bar Committee (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)
Chair, Annual Meeting Planning Committee (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 

American Heart Association
Go Red for Women

Perspectives Corporation
Member, Human Rights Committee

Town of Westerly, Rhode Island
Member and Chairwoman, Board of Assessment Review

Hopkinton and Westerly Recreation Youth Basketball
Former Coach

Ocean Community YMCA
Certified Spinning Instructor (2016 - present)

Springbrook Elementary School
PTO Member and Former President

Westerly High School
Sports Boosters Association (2022 - present)

Westerly Middle School
Current PTO President