Brooks R. Magratten

Brooks R. Magratten is a partner at Pierce Atwood in Providence and Boston with more than 30 years of experience in insurance and commercial litigation. His practice includes ERISA benefit and fiduciary-duty disputes and complex business matters. Magratten has defended insurers and other commercial interests across multiple jurisdictions, bringing extensive trial, appellate, and industry experience to disputes involving coverage, employee benefits, contractual obligations, and litigation risk.

Magratten earned a J.D. from Dickinson School of Law in 1986 and a B.A. from Hamilton College in 1983. He later earned an M.B.A. from Bryant University in 1996. His combined legal and business education supports work that requires analysis of insurance contracts, employee benefit plans, commercial relationships, financial issues, and regulatory obligations affecting organizations and their stakeholders.

Magratten has defended more than 200 ERISA benefit and breach-of-fiduciary-duty cases in 12 states. His broader experience includes commercial litigation and insurance-related disputes requiring detailed analysis of plan language, contractual duties, damages, and procedural issues. He has served in leadership roles within the defense bar, including as a Northeast Regional Director of DRI and chair of its Life, Health and Disability Insurance Committee.

Brooks R. Magratten has been recognized by Chambers USA for commercial litigation and by The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation and health care law. He has also received an AV Preeminent rating and recognition in employee benefits litigation. His long-standing practice, industry leadership, and experience with ERISA, insurance, and commercial disputes provide clients with seasoned guidance in matters combining litigation risk, regulatory concerns, and business consequences.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, Rhode Island Bar Association
• Chair, DRI Center for Law and Public Policy State Legislation and Rules Task Force
• Chair, American Bar Association Commission on the American Jury
• Former President, Federal Bar Association, Rhode Island Chapter
• Former Chair, Rhode Island Bar Association, Federal Bench/Bar Committee
• Fellow, Rhode Island Bar Foundation
• Co-Director, The Litigation Academy of the United States District Court of the District of Rhode Island
• Former Member, New England Legal Foundation Board of Directors
• Member, Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
• Faculty, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy at Stanford Law School
• Past President, Defense Counsel of Rhode Island
• Former Chair, ABA-TIPS Health & Disability Insurance Committee
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
• Participant, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Licensed State

• Massachusetts
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island

Education

• Dickinson School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Bryant College
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Hamilton College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges