As the smallest state in the union but with the longest official name — State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — the Ocean State is attempting to build a future in biotechnology, health care and high-technology start-ups so it can finally shake off its heavy manufacturing past and the lingering effects of the Great Recession. It's been a slow recovery, and the legal community has responded by keeping expenses and staff lean.
"The Rhode Island economy was chasing Michigan for the bottom of the barrel for a number of years," said Providence partner Christopher D. Graham of Edwards Wildman Palmer. "It makes it a challenge for law firms to grow and expand."
