Joseph M. "Joe" DiOrio

Joe DiOrio launched his law practice in May of 2005 after more than two decades of experience at large law firms. With a well-established reputation and a strong Rhode Island and Massachusetts focus, Joe sought an independent model to continue his bankruptcy and creditors' rights practice. He envisioned a law office with fewer conflict obstacles, more partner-level attention ... and a straightforward style that mirrored his no-nonsense attitude. He was confident he could deliver the same legal expertise as the larger firms in a quicker, more nimble fashion.

Today, Joe and his staff of attorneys are known for their ability to respond swiftly to conflict inquiries, to aggressively attack the problem at hand, and to vigorously assert themselves into the mix. They exemplify a results-oriented approach with the agility to get the deal done without becoming bogged down in large-firm bureaucracy.

The firm's practice is devoted to enforcing the rights of creditors, both secured and unsecured; the firm represents premier financial institutions, non-bank lenders and trade creditors; and parties to executory contracts, including landlords. The attorneys have worked in industries that include healthcare, retail, manufacturing and more.

Joe and his team counsel lenders restructuring credit facilities, trade creditors seeking protection of their rights – both in and out of bankruptcy and receivership court – and buyers purchasing assets at bankruptcy court sales and secured party sales. They work with secured creditors to enforce their rights under their security documents, and landlords addressing rejection, assumption and assignment of leases in bankruptcy court. They represent creditors and other parties in pursuit of and defense against fraudulent transfer remedies and in defense of preferential transfers under the federal bankruptcy code.

Joe DiOrio is frequently appointed as a state court receiver, federal bankruptcy trustee or special master, where he is charged with administering debt, liquidating property and satisfying creditor obligations pursuant to federal and state law. In that capacity, Joe has operated businesses, and managed and sold real estate.

Joe has been selected as Lawyer-of-the-Year by Best Lawyers for the practice areas of Litigation-Bankruptcy (2019), Banking and Finance Law (2017), Bankruptcy & Creditors-Debtors Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law (2014) and Bankruptcy Litigation (2013).

The firm has also been recognized by Best Law Firms for many years, most recently in 2018 in the three practice areas of Bankruptcy & Creditors-Debtors Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law, Banking and Finance Law, and Bankruptcy Litigation.

Joe has earned the Martindale Hubbell rating AV, the highest rating given to attorneys attained from confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for many years.

Active in the community and in the profession, Joe is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Commercial Law League of America, the Turnaround Management Association, and the National Bankruptcy Trustee Association. He is a Fellow of the Rhode Island Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation. He was a longstanding board member for the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence.