Governor McKee Announces Washington Bridge Legal Team (updated)

Published on Friday, April 05, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that he has hired top investigative attorney Max Wistow and veteran attorney Jonathan Savage as the outside legal team tasked with seeking financial recovery from any responsible parties related to the Washington Bridge failure. The hiring of Wistow and Savage marks the next step toward pursuing accountability on behalf of Rhode Island taxpayers.

“We want to make it very clear – any responsible parties will be held fully accountable, and we will use every tool at our disposal to achieve that goal,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The combined expertise on this legal team will put the State in a strong position to build the best possible case for Rhode Island taxpayers and deliver the accountability they deserve.” 

Wistow is a principal of Wistow, Sheehan & Loveley and specializes in complex, multi-party litigation. He has a strong record of successfully navigating high-profile cases and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of Rhode Islanders. Wistow was the lead attorney who recovered over $61 million for the State of Rhode Island in the 38 Studios lawsuit. He also successfully recovered over $50 million to date for retirees impacted by the St. Joseph’s pension fund failure. His firm had a key role in securing a $176 million settlement for victims of the Station fire. Wistow has been practicing law for more than 50 years and was named one of the Best Lawyers in America. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Savage is a partner at Savage Law Partners, LLP, a local firm with substantial experience in construction law. Savage chairs the firm’s Corporate and Business department, Public Sector/Governmental Services department and has more than 40 years of experience practicing law.  Savage has extensive experience in matters relating to public sector and governmental services and agencies. He has been honored with the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest rating based on both legal ability and ethics.

The team has been engaged to conduct a legal review of all matters related to the bridge, develop a legal strategy to pursue any potential recovery, and to bring suit against any responsible parties if necessary.  One of the team’s first priorities will be to review the forensic analysis of the Washington Bridge currently being conducted by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates in conjunction with McNary, Bergeron & Johannesen, the outside experts hired by the Governor’s Office to review all findings once complete.