Attorneys

Our Lawyers

With over 50 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Callaghan & Callaghan can help you achieve exceptional results.

Matt Callaghan James Callaghan

Matthew F. Callaghan Jr.,

Matthew F. Callaghan Jr., has provided excellent representation for individuals, families, and businesses across Rhode Island for over fifty years.

Matt has resolved thousands of real estate matters in his career. His expertise includes the areas of zoning, planning, land use, and closings.

Additionally, for decades his clients have relied on his expertise for wills, trusts, estates, family law, criminal matters, and civil litigation.

Matt has also been a life long public servant. Immediately after he graduated from Providence College and Boston College Law School, he was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate from District 9 in Providence. He served as State Senator from 1968 to 1974.

In 1974 he moved to South County and opened a law office in North Kingstown with Edward H. Torgen, Esq.

In addition to his private law practice, from 1978 to 1987 he served as Narragansett Town Solicitor. As Town Solicitor he prosecuted local criminal cases and defended the town in all civil litigation.

From 1991 to 2011 Matt was the Chairman of the Narragansett Land Trust. In that role he helped the town acquire the Kinney Bungalow and Anthony-Kinney Farm, also known as Sunset Farm, located on Point Judith Road. In 2013, the National Park Service placed Sunset Farm on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2013 Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Suttell appointed Matt as one of twelve members (eight attorneys and four public appointees) of the Rhode Island Disciplinary Board. The Disciplinary Board has two main functions: to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.

Callaghan & Callaghan currently serve as Town Solicitors for the Town of North Kingstown.

Matt and his wife Judy raised four children in South County. Judy is a retired school teacher. She is now a real estate agent for Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Real Estate in Narragansett.

James M. Callaghan

James M. Callaghan represents clients in court on a daily basis. He practices in a wide range of areas including criminal law, family law, civil litigation, municipal law, workers compensation, and probate law.

James graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and American University Law School in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from law school he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph F. Rodgers, Jr., Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court.

From 2004 to 2012, James was a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General. He handled criminal matters in Washington County, Kent County, Newport County, and Providence County. He also served as Chief of the Newport County office from 2011 to 2012.

He has tried more than thirty cases before a jury. He has achieved success in cases ranging from murder to felony assault to driving under the influence.

In February of 2017 the firm of Callaghan & Callaghan was appointed as the legal counsel for the Town of North Kingstown. As Town Solicitors they serve as legal advisers the Town Council and town staff.

From 2012 to 2014 James served as the President of the Narragansett Town Council. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Burke Scholarship Fund.

James and his wife Linsey are the proud parents of two sons. They live in Narragansett.