Gary R. Pannone

Gary R. Pannone


Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara LLC

Recognized since 2007

Johnston, Rhode Island

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Corporate Compliance Law

Corporate Governance Law

Corporate Law

Health Care Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Securities / Capital Markets Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Administrative / Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Administrative / Regulatory Law
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Gary R. Pannone is a founder and Principal of Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC and has been representing closely held business owners for over forty years. He is an experienced business lawyer specializing in the areas of business formation, corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions and corporate compliance. In addition to representing closely held businesses, his practice includes the representation of nonprofit organizations in the areas of corporate governance, consolidations, mergers and acquisitions.

Attorney Pannone has served on multiple non-profit boards and as general counsel to several of the firm’s corporate clients. He is a former Town Solicitor and was special counsel to numerous Rhode Island municipalities. In addition to practicing law, Attorney Pannone is a frequent lecturer and author in the areas of corporate compliance, best practices and business formation. Prior to the founding of Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, he served as the managing partner of the Providence office of an international law firm.

Attorney Pannone is a prominent member of the legal community and was honored by his peers and judges in 2023 and 2024 with the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest rating based on both legal ability and ethics. For over a decade, he been annually selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in his practice areas and named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Rhode Island for multiple years. He has also been recognized by Chambers USA, Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel. In 2020, he was a recipient of an “Excellence in the Law” and has received the Hall of Fame award by Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly for his lifetime achievements and outstanding professional accomplishments in the legal community. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, the nation’s leading research institute for the study of law.

Attorney Pannone received his J.D. from Suffolk Law School after earning his undergraduate degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is admitted to practice law in Rhode Island and the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Contact & Links
Location
  • Northwoods Office Park, Suite 215-N
    1301 Atwood Avenue
    Johnston, RI 02919
Education
  • Suffolk University, J.D., graduated 1977
  • University of Notre Dame, graduated 1974
Bar Admissions
  • Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bar Association

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Administrative / Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Administrative / Regulatory Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law, Providence (2024)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Providence (2024)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Providence (2022)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Providence (2020)
  • Corporate Governance Law, Providence (2019)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Providence (2018)
  • Corporate Governance Law, Providence (2017)
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law, Providence (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
Special Focus:
  • Closely-Held Businesses
  • Corporate Compliance
  • Corporate Governance
  • Cyber Law
  • Director and Officer Liability
  • Family Businesses
  • Fiduciary Duties
  • General Corporate
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Partnership and Limited Liability
  • Social And Digital Media Law
Awards:
  • AV Preeminent Rank, Martindale Hubbell

  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • Chambers USA
  • Rhode Island and New England Super Lawyers
  • Excellence In The Law, Hall of Fame, Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Nonprofit / Charities Law

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KEYS TO CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION PLAN FOR CLOSELY HELD BUSINESSES


KEYS TO CREATING A SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION PLAN FOR CLOSELY HELD BUSINESSES

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10 KEY ELEMENTS OF A FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLAN


10 KEY ELEMENTS OF A FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLAN

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RAISING CAPITAL FOR STARTUPS


RAISING CAPITAL FOR STARTUPS

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Managing Impacts of the Coronavirus in the Construction Industry


Managing Impacts of the Coronavirus in the Construction Industry

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CHALLENGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY


CHALLENGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

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TECHNOLOGY – A KEY FACTOR DRIVING SUCCESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY


TECHNOLOGY – A KEY FACTOR DRIVING SUCCESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

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THE INTERSECTION OF LEGAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES


THE INTERSECTION OF LEGAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES

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MANAGING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS FOR INVESTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS


MANAGING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS FOR INVESTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS

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THE IMPORTANCE OF COVENANTS IN A BUSINESS TRANSACTION TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS


THE IMPORTANCE OF COVENANTS IN A BUSINESS TRANSACTION TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS

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CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASING A UNIONIZED BUSINESS


CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASING A UNIONIZED BUSINESS

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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DRAFTING WATERFALL PROVISIONS IN OPERATING AGREEMENTS


IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DRAFTING WATERFALL PROVISIONS IN OPERATING AGREEMENTS

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AVOIDING COMMON LEGAL MISTAKES MADE BY STARTUPS


AVOIDING COMMON LEGAL MISTAKES MADE BY STARTUPS

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PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL


PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL

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