Rhonda Tobin

Rhonda J. Tobin

(she/her/hers)

Managing Partner

Rhonda J. Tobin

(she/her/hers)

Managing Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Rhonda Tobin is the firm’s Managing Partner. She is a highly-regarded trial lawyer with significant experience in state and federal courts who has spent her entire 30-year career at Robinson+Cole. Her practice focuses on representing insurance companies in complex insurance coverage litigation, arbitration and mediation including claims seeking extracontractual remedies. Rhonda has been a member of Robinson+Cole’s Managing Committee since 2009 and co-chaired the firm’s 100-attorney Litigation Section from 2007 until she became Managing Partner in 2021.

    Insurance Coverage Litigation

    Rhonda's insurance coverage practice includes the litigation and arbitration of a broad range of coverage issues under commercial general liability, commercial property, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional liability and excess and surplus lines policies.

    She has substantial experience in commercial property claims-related litigation, including high profile insurance coverage litigation arising out of the September 11 catastrophe. Rhonda represented a commercial property insurer in several multi-million dollar cases involving business interruption and property damage losses in the wake of the terrorist attack. She has significant coverage litigation and trial experience in connection with sexual abuse claims against religious institutions and schools, as well as coverage disputes involving claims arising out of the #MeToo Movement and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Rhonda's reinsurance experience includes the arbitration and litigation of reinsurance disputes related to property and casualty and workers' compensation reinsurance.

    Extracontractual Litigation

    Rhonda also has significant experience advising clients about potential extracontractual exposure and defending cases alleging bad faith and unfair claim handling practices through trial. She has been retained on the eve of trial to take over the defense of a bad faith case, and is regularly retained to monitor claims to provide input on good faith claim-handling and settlement practices. She regularly trains and counsels her clients on good faith claim investigation and settlement practices, and is a frequent speaker at insurance industry programs on both coverage and claim handling.

    Professional Liability Defense

    Rhonda’s professional liability defense work includes defending claims against lawyers, accountants, insurance agents and brokers, financial planners, and other professionals. She has a record of successful outcomes on behalf of professionals who have been the target of such claims.

    Rhonda is a Fellow in the highly-selective American College of Coverage Counsel. She was recognized by the National Law Journal as an Insurance Law Trailblazer in its inaugural listing in 2021. In addition, Rhonda was recognized in 2020 by Business Insurance as one of its 30 “Women to Watch” in North America, and by the Hartford Business Journal as one of its 15 “Women in Business” honorees. She has been listed as one of the Top 250 Women Litigators in the United States and a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation since 2014 and included in the Connecticut Super Lawyers® list for 2007 and from 2017 to 2022. 
     

     

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Litigated D&O insurer’s grounds to challenge court order requiring review and production of thousands of "other insured" claims files, at a cost certain to exceed $1 million, in declaratory judgment coverage dispute that included claims of bad faith settlement practices. Represented D&O insurer for third-party defendant in action brought to recover for services allegedly rendered in connection with a failed corporate acquisition. The third-party complaint sought to hold individual insured under D&O policy liable for alleged breaches of fiduciary obligations owed to board of directors of named insured. The coverage disputes included the application of the insured v. insured exclusion in the D&O policy, apportionment disputes between the individual insured and a noninsured entity represented by joint defense counsel, and the assertion of extracontractual claims under the applicable insurance claims-handling statute.

      • Represented insurers and reinsurers in efforts to obtain protective orders precluding discovery of communications with reinsurers and reinsurers' claim files.
      • Prevailed in reinsurance arbitration against program reinsurer over monies owed under multiple years’ contracts reinsuring commercial liability, property, and liquor liability losses. Arbitration included actuarial assessments of future losses and expert opinions regarding claim handling. Also obtained favorable rulings regarding prehearing security and attorneys' fees.
      • Representation of insurance agent in lawsuit brought by clients related to misrepresentations in application that voided coverage and duty to verify accuracy of information in application.
      • Representation of financial planner in lawsuit brought by investor client for inappropriate sale of annuities and life insurance products.
      • Representation of banking lawyer in suit by FDIC over failure of community bank and litigated issues related to scope of attorney’s duty regarding due diligence about borrower.
      • Representation of TPA in errors and omissions claims by client who provided notice of fatality occurrence and subsequent wrongful death action to TPA but not to insurer, resulting in insurer denying coverage based on late notice.
      • Representation of insurance agency in defense of errors and omissions claim that agent confirmed the existence of coverage by issuing Certificate of Insurance to contractor when coverage had been terminated.
      • Represented Lawyers Professional Liability insurer in coverage disputes regarding whether allegations against law firm involved billing practices of firm or the rendering of professional services.

      • Representation of D&O insurer in coverage litigation concerning six underlying actions alleging death spiral financing and fraud and concerning the applicability of late notice/prejudice issues, prior and pending litigation and prior knowledge exclusions, interrelated wrongful acts interpretation, and disputes regarding allocation of defense expenses among covered and uncovered parties and claims. Obtained summary judgment on late notice.
      • Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendant in nationwide class action challenging defendant’s business practices concerning its administration of one of its annuity products. The plaintiff class consisted of members from 51 jurisdictions.
      • Represented a commercial property insurer in several multimillion-dollar cases involving business interruption and property damage losses due to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Successfully briefed motion for summary judgment on the "period of restoration" and consequential damages (2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5389).
      • Representation of insurer in action brought by homeowners that arose from a fire at their residence. Following denial of future insurance proceeds to the plaintiffs because of the concealment and fraud provision of the subject policy, the insureds brought a cause of action for breach of contract, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, unfair trade practices, and bad faith. The firm was retained a few months before the start of jury selection and was tasked with completing all expert discovery and preparing the case for trial. After five days of jury selection and five days of evidence, a favorable settlement was reached for the client.
      • Won multimillion-dollar summary judgment on behalf of insurer seeking payment involving a large risk alternative rating and insurance program agreement entered into with a national retail chain. Also recovered attorneys’ fees and costs for the costs of the litigation.
      • Successfully defended Connecticut state marshal in case of first impression regarding whether a civil capias grants authority to enter a home without consent or exigent circumstances. No court in the country had conclusively resolved whether a civil capias is equivalent to a Fourth Amendment arrest warrant. After extensive briefing on the history and origins of the capias warrant, the District of Connecticut granted summary judgment in favor of the state marshal on the basis of the qualified immunity doctrine. Milner v. Duncklee, 460 F. Supp. 2d 360 (D. Conn. 2006).
      • Successfully defended life insurance company in jury trial in federal court in Massachusetts concerning denial of life insurance benefits under cancelled insurance policy.
      • Successfully represented insurance company in parallel reinsurance disputes with its Bermuda reinsurer, obtaining almost $1 million of collateral required under several programs of insurance.
      • Obtained a significant jury verdict for an insurance company client following a nine-day trial in Connecticut federal court. The case arose out of a series of property insurance claims made in 2011, after a significant water loss was followed by a total fire loss at the plaintiff's home. We defended the case based on the insurance policy's concealment or fraud provision and also asserted counterclaims for breach of contract and fraud. The plaintiff sought approximately $2 million while our client counterclaimed for the money it paid the plaintiff prior to discovering the fraud. The jury found against the plaintiff on the breach of contract claim and found for our client on its counterclaims for fraud and misrepresentation. Our client was awarded $330,000 in damages.

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    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American College of Coverage Counsel
      Fellow and Co-Chair of CGL/Excess Liability Insurance Committee
      Former Co-Chair, ADR Committee

      Defense Research Institute
      Insurance Law Committee, Professional Liability Committee, Regional Editor of Covered Events for Insurance Law Committee newsletter (1992 - 1996)

      Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
      Member of Extra Contractual Committee

      Professional Liability Underwriting Society
      Hartford Chapter Steering Committee (2012 - 2017)

      United States Law Firm Group
      Chair of Litigation Committee (2007 - 2016)

      American Bar Association
      Section of Litigation, Professional Liability Section newsletter Professional Liability Update, New England Editor (1998 - 1999)
      Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Vice Chair of Professionals' Officers' and Directors' Liability Committee (2001 - 2010)

      Connecticut Bar Association
      Insurance Law Section
      Litigation Section

      Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association

      AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society, ARIAS US

      American Bar Foundation
      Fellow

      Connecticut Bar Foundation
      James W. Cooper Fellow
      History of Connecticut Women in the Legal Profession Project

      University of Connecticut School of Law
      Adjunct Professor (2007 - 2009)

      Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services Cluster

      New York State Bar Association
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Listed in the Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 and 2022 Power Players section, highlighting the region’s 50 most influential leaders. 

      Selected by The National Law Journal as a 2021 Insurance Law Trailblazer 

      Business Insurance 2020 "Women to Watch" Honoree

      Hartford Business Journal 2020 "Women in Business" Honoree 

      Listed as one of the Top 250 Women Litigators in the United States by Benchmark Litigation since 2014.

      Listed in Benchmark Litigation as a Local Litigation Star for Connecticut in the areas of Insurance and Professional Liability since 2015 

      Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Appellate Practice for 2022 and in the area of Insurance Law for 2023 and 2024.

      Selected for recognition in the “Managing Partner of the Year” category as part of Corporate Counsel’s 2022 Women, Influence and Power in Law (WIPL) Awards

      Connecticut Law Tribune, 2010, recognized in Women in the Law: High Achievers yearbook

      Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list in 2007 and from 2017 to 2023.

      Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award recipient, 2005

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Hartford Stage Company
      Board of Directors (2017 - Present)
      Co-chair, Governance Committee (2018 - Present)
      Executive Committee (2018 - Present)

      Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford
      Simsbury Advisory Committee
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Connecticut Attorney Liability Rulings Bring Cheers, Jeers," published in Connecticut Law Tribune (2003)

      New England editor, Professional Liability Update, a publication of the American Bar Association's Litigation Section Professional Liability Committee (1998)

      "Surviving the '90s: Ethical Concerns in Today's Legal Market," published in Connecticut Law Tribune (1996)

      Regional editor, Covered Events, a publication of the Defense Research Institute's Insurance Law Committee (1992 to 1996)

      "Preservation and Spoliation of Evidence," published in A Practical Guide to Discovery & Depositions in Connecticut, co-authored with Jeffrey J. White; chapter covers the preservation and spoliation of evidence in the civil context in Connecticut state court; it is part of a new publication that is the most comprehensive coverage to date of discovery and deposition issues in Connecticut and was authored by leading practitioners at the largest firms in the state. The first edition was published in 2011, the second edition in 2013. (2011 & 2013)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Effective Leadership Strategies: Inspiring your Team during Good Times and Bad," a Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Presidential Fellows program (5/23/2023)
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      "Thinking Ahead of the Curve: Cultivating a Foresight Mentality," as part of The Legal Foresight Summit “Operating at the Speed of Change: Navigating Risk and Opportunity in an Era of Converging Crises,” presented by Inside Practice LLC (3/29/2023)
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      "Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Roundtable," (11/10/2022)
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      "COVID-19-Related Liability Claims and Insurance Issues," as an organizer and the moderator of the American College of Coverage Counsel's webinar. (11/12/2020)
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      "Sorting Out the Rules & Responsibilities Of Primary and Excess Carriers in the Defense of "Bet the Company" Litigation," (September 10-11 & 24-25, 2020)
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      "The COVID-19 Crisis and CGL Insurance Coverage," co-presented with Stephen O. Clancy, J. Gregory Lahr, Lawrence Klein and Jonathan E. Small, which addressed claim scenarios that insurers are likely to face in the COVID-19 era. (5/4/2020)
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      "The Next Wave: Sexual Abuse Claims," panelist for program presented during the DRI Complex Coverage Forum in Hartford, CT (11/6/2019)
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      "Fear of Trials: An In-House Perspective on the Vanishing Jury Trial and Outside Counsel’s Perspective on How to Manage a Bad Faith Case," to insurance professionals at the Defense Research Institute’s “Insurance Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability” seminar in Washington, D.C. (6/5/2019)

      "Policy Limit Demands— Protecting Insurers Against The Latest Strategy of Plaintiffs' Counsel," co-presented with Eugene P. Murphy and Lawrence Klein, as part of the Insurance In-House Counsel CLE Series (6/13/2018)
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      "Policy Limit Demands: The New Plaintiff’s Strategy and How to Protect Insurers and Defense Counsel," at the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance Annual Conference in Houston, Texas (3/15/2018)
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      "Preserving the Privilege—The Erosion of Protections for Confidential Communications Between In-House Attorneys, Claim Professionals, and Outside Counsel," co-presented with Stephen O. Clancy and Gregory P. Varga, as part of the Insurance In-House Counsel CLE Series (1/11/2018)
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      "Underwriting Issues in Insurance Claims," co-presented with Eugene P. Murphy, at AIG Claims, Inc., in New York City (2/16/2017)
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      "D&O Insurance by the Number$," at Connecticut Bar Association's Insurance Law Section (2011)

      "ABCs of D&O Insurance," at Connecticut Bar Association's Insurance Law Section (2003)

      "Third Party Coverage in Connecticut," at National Business Institute, responsible for directors' and officers' liability insurance portion (1996)

      "Effective Motion Practice in Connecticut," at Lorman Education Service (1995, 1996, 1997)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • May 11, 2023

        Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Law.com’s Pro Mid-Market on Strategic Law Firm Growth

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      • February 23, 2023

        Rhonda Tobin Once Again Named to HBJ's Power 50

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      • January 13, 2023

        Rhonda Tobin and Natalie Ramsey Quoted on Recession Planning in The American Lawyer

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      • October 18, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin and Natalie Ramsey Featured in Philadelphia Business Journal Article on Firm’s Presence in the Market

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      • August 31, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Selected to Receive "Managing Partner of the Year" Recognition by Corporate Counsel

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      • August 19, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Elaborates on Hartford Office Relocation Plans During CBIA Bizcast Episode

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      • July 1, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Legal Intelligencer Article on Law Firm Growth in Pennsylvania

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      • March 17, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Among Law Firm Leaders Reflecting on Making History as Women Managing Partners

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      • March 9, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Listed Among HBJ’s 2022 Power 50

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      • February 4, 2022

        R+C Lawyers Present on Culture of Success at Women in Manufacturing Conference

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      • January 14, 2022

        Law360 Pulse Feature Article Focuses on Managing Partner Rhonda Tobin

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      • July 9, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Featured in Law.com Profile

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      • June 28, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Is Featured Guest on CBIA Bizcast Program

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      • June 17, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Connecticut Law Tribune Article on How Area Firms are Commemorating Juneteenth

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      • June 10, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin the Focus of MetroHartford Alliance Q&A Feature

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      • June 8, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Law360 Pulse Article on Robinson+Cole's Latest Diversity Initiatives

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      • April 5, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Featured in Hartford Business Journal Article on Women Leaders at Greater Hartford Law Firms

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      • March 1, 2021

        Media Covers News of Robinson+Cole’s First Woman Managing Partner

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      • December 10, 2020

        Rhonda Tobin Named to Business Insurance’s 2020 “Women to Watch” Class

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      • April 6, 2020

        Rhonda Tobin Profiled in Hartford Business Journal’s 2020 “Women in Business” Issue

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      • June 10, 2019

        Rhonda Tobin Presents at DRI Insurance Seminar in Washington, D.C.

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      • November 30, 2018

        Rhonda Tobin Quoted in Connecticut Law Tribune Article on Women in Big Law

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • July 9, 2018

        Larry Klein, Gene Murphy, and Rhonda Tobin Present Program on Policy Limit Demands

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      • June 6, 2018

        Rhonda Tobin Presents Seminar on Policy Limit Demands

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      • March 21, 2018

        Rhonda Tobin Presents at Claims and Litigation Management Alliance Annual Conference

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      • January 25, 2018

        Steve Clancy, Rhonda Tobin, and Greg Varga Present on Attorney-Client Privilege as Part of New Insurance In-House Counsel CLE Series

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      • February 21, 2017

        Rhonda Tobin and Eugene Murphy Speak on Underwriting Issues in Insurance Claims

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      • July 31, 2013

        Hartford Lawyers Co-author Chapter on Preservation and Spoliation of Evidence for Leading Publication on Discovery Issues

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      • January 24, 2012

        Partner Rhonda Tobin Quoted on Robinson & Cole’s Commitment to Advancing Women

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      • February 16, 2011

        Rhonda Tobin Discusses Directors and Officers Insurance at CBA Program

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      • February 10, 2011

        Attorneys Coauthor Chapter on Preservation and Spoliation of Evidence for Leading Publication on Discovery Issues

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      • September 10, 2010

        Women in the Law and in the News

      R+C News Releases

      • October 26, 2023

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2023 Super Lawyers®

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      • October 10, 2023

        Robinson+Cole Recognized in 2024 Edition of Benchmark Litigation

      • August 17, 2023

        78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

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      • October 20, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Recognized as Managing Partner of the Year

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      • October 11, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in 2022 Super Lawyers®

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      • September 30, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

      • August 18, 2022

        74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

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      • August 8, 2022

        Rhonda Tobin Named to Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation for 9th Consecutive Year

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      • July 20, 2022

        Robinson+Cole to Relocate its Hartford Office to One State Street

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      • May 24, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Donates More Than $40K to Aid in Ukraine Relief Efforts

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      • January 13, 2022

        R+C Expands New York State Government and Regulatory Representation with Addition of The Roffe Group P.C.

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      • October 14, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • October 7, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

      • August 19, 2021

        65 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

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      • August 9, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Managing Partner Among Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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      • March 2, 2021

        Rhonda Tobin Named an “Insurance Law Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal

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      • February 19, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Elects Rhonda J. Tobin Managing Partner

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      • October 15, 2020

        47 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized in Super Lawyers®

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      • October 8, 2020

        Robinson+Cole Recognized in Benchmark Litigation

      • August 13, 2020

        Rhonda Tobin Among Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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      • June 9, 2020

        Rhonda Tobin Named to Hartford Business Journal’s 2020 “Women in Business” Class

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      • October 19, 2019

        52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • October 2, 2019

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

      • August 1, 2019

        Rhonda Tobin Among Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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      • October 24, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

      • July 23, 2018

        Rhonda Tobin Among Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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      • October 17, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • September 29, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

      • August 2, 2017

        Rhonda Tobin Among Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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      • June 14, 2017

        Rhonda Tobin Elected to Hartford Stage Board of Directors

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      • May 11, 2017

        Rhonda Tobin Elected Fellow of National Insurance Coverage Organization

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      • November 3, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2016

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      • October 30, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

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      • August 6, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Included in Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation

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