Richard E. Cavanaugh

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Areas of Practice

Richard Cavanaugh is a founding partner of Gallagher & Cavanaugh LLP. He has over fifteen years of litigation and trial experience in federal and state courts in the areas of products and professional liability, construction, employment, motor vehicle, premises, environmental, liquor liability, and commercial cases. He has argued appellate issues before the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Mr. Cavanaugh’s practice also includes business counseling of non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Personal/Professional Experience

Mr. Cavanaugh was born in Des Moines, Iowa.  He began practicing law in 1991 when he joined the law firm of Donahue & Donahue Attorneys, P.C., in Lowell, Massachusetts before the formation of Gallagher & Cavanaugh LLP.  Prior to law school, Mr. Cavanaugh served as a Congressional press secretary as well as a consultant on the staffs of a number of Presidential, Senatorial and Congressional campaigns.

Publications/Presentations

Co-author:  “Taking Expert Depositions,” Massachusetts Deposition Practice Manual, 1992; “How To Try A Personal Injury Case in Massachusetts District Court,” Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual, 1993; “Opposing Expert Testimony at Trial,” Chapters in MCLE books, Massachusetts Expert Witnesses (2002, 2004) and Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy (2005).  Lecturer/Panel Member:  Introducing Evidence at Trial, MCLE, 2005. Panel Member: Direct and Cross Examination of Lay Witnesses: Winning Strategies.

Reported Cases

Schwartz v. Travelers Indemn. Co., 50 Mass.App.Ct. 672, 740 N.E.2d 1039 (2001).

Bar and Court Admissions

Mr. Cavanaugh was admitted to practice in Massachusetts in 1990.  He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. 

Education

J.D., Boston College, Boston, MA, 1990 (European Practice Program at Kings College, University of London, England, 1989)
B.A., Boston College, Boston, MA, 1983

Activities

Mr. Cavanaugh is a member of the Greater Lowell Bar Association (Secretary, 1996-1997; Treasurer, 1997-1999; President-Elect, 1998-1999; President, 1999-2000), and Massachusetts Bar Association (Practice Management Section, 2004-2005).  He has also served as a director on a number of boards of cultural and human service organizations including Lowell House, Inc. and the New England Quilt Museum.  Mr. Cavanaugh currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) in Lowell.