John J. Houlihan Jr.

For more than 40 years, John J. Houlihan, Jr. has dedicated his legal career to advocating for individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by serious injury, medical negligence, defective products, and wrongful death. Throughout that time, he has secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements while earning a reputation as one of Connecticut's most respected trial attorneys.

Known for his meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to his clients, Mr. Houlihan approaches every case with the belief that behind every legal matter is a person or family seeking answers, accountability, and justice. Many of his clients remain lifelong friends, and he considers the referrals he receives from former clients, fellow attorneys, and members of the legal community among the greatest honors of his career.

Mr. Houlihan's distinguished career extends beyond the courtroom. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law for more than 25 years, teaching trial advocacy and helping shape the next generation of trial lawyers. He is also a frequent lecturer at legal education programs, bar association conferences, and professional seminars, where he shares his extensive experience in trial strategy, advocacy, and civil litigation.

A lifelong member of the RisCassi & Davis family, Mr. Houlihan first joined the firm as a summer intern in 1979. He became Managing Partner in 1994 and has helped lead the firm's continued growth and success while maintaining an active trial practice representing injured individuals throughout Connecticut and beyond.

A Few of His Achievements

Mr. Houlihan has obtained numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including an $8.1 million verdict in a malpractice case involving an improperly performed biopsy, a $7.2 million dollar settlement in the case of a child who suffered brain damage during surgery, and a $7.2 million dollar verdict in a wrongful death case involving a DOT supervisor killed on the job. His many verdicts come from representing individuals and families involved in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, and defective product cases.

Education

• St. John’s University School of Law – St. Thomas More Scholar
• Providence College B.A., cum laude

Professional Achievements

• Named the Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year”
  • 2018: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • 2024: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • 2025: Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
• Listed in the field of Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability, and Medical Malpractice Law in The Best Lawyers in America, every year since 2001
• Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
• Trial Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is limited to only 500 U.S. trial attorneys under the age of 70
• Connecticut Chairman of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
• Named a Super Lawyers Top 50 Attorney in Connecticut and Top 100 in New England
• Connecticut State Chair and Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers. Admission is limited to experienced, outstanding trial lawyers who are unquestionably and eminently qualified as actively engaged trial lawyers. Only 1% of all trial lawyers in any state or province are offered admission as members to the College
• Selected as a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Hartford County Bar Foundation in 2007
• 2018 winner of the Connecticut Law Tribune Professional Excellence Distinguished Leader Award
• 2018 recipient of the Anthony V. Demayo Pro Bono Award from the Connecticut Bar Association
• Trustee, Board of Directors – Providence College (2019-2022)

Professional Activities

• Adjunct Professor, University of Connecticut School of Law, teaching Trial Advocacy for more than 25 years
• Frequent lecturer and presenter for bar associations, legal education programs, and professional organizations on trial advocacy and civil litigation topics
• Member of the Hartford County, Connecticut, and American Bar Associations
• Member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, serving on the Board of Governors and on its Legislative Committee
• Member, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, the American Association for Justice
• Member, Connecticut Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers
• Adjunct faculty member of the University of Connecticut School of Law since 1988
• Co-chair of the Connecticut committee of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Personal

• Mr. Houlihan resides with his family in West Hartford, where he is active in the town’s youth sports program and in Providence College alumni programs and activities.

Related Results

• $8,100,000 Verdict - Medical Malpractice - Improperly performed biopsy lead to wrongful death
• $7,500,000 Settlement - Motor Vehicle Accident - 22-year old woman killed in crossover collision
• $7,290,000 Verdict - Personal Injury - DOT supervisor struck and killed while on the job
• $7,200,000 Settlement - Medical Malpractice - Young child suffered brain damage after undergoing surgery
• $6,500,000 Settlement - Medical Malpractice - Brain injured 5-year old following cardiac surgery

Related News

• 12/13/2019 | Attorney John Houlihan helping the family of a 95-year-old woman killed by a pitbull
• 10/02/2019 | Best Lawyers Honors Nine RisCassi & Davis Lawyers
• 06/07/2018 | Attorneys at RisCassi & Davis Win Connecticut Legal Awards

Awards