Raj graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Classics in 1986. He then graduated from Boston College Law School in 1990, cum laude, and was an editor of the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review. He clerked for Associate Justice Thomas Kelleher of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from 1990 to 1991. Raj joined Gunning & LaFazia as a partner in 2002. His practice areas include commercial litigation, insurance defense and construction law. Raj is "AV" rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized for excellence as a Top Attorney in Rhode Island from 2011-2020.

Raj has served on the Board of the West Bay YMCA, and the Defense Counsel of Rhode Island. He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, as well as the Defense Research Institute. Raj has lectured on the use of experts in psychological injury cases. Raj is admitted to practice in Federal and State Courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as the First Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

He has tried over 25 cases to a verdict in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

E-mail address: rsury@gunninglafazia.com
Direct dial: 401-521-2647

Michael attended the University of Connecticut where he received a B.S. in Finance and a Minor in International Studies. Afterwards, he graduated magna cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 2014 where he also received American Jurisprudence Awards in Evidence, Antitrust, and Federal Income Taxation. While at Suffolk, Michael was a member of Suffolk’s National Tax Moot Court Team and President of Suffolk’s Public Interest Law Group. After graduating from law school, Michael served as a law clerk for the Rhode Island Supreme Court Law Clerk Department in Kent County. Michael is currently admitted to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

E-mail address: mmessore@gunninglafazia.com
Direct dial: 401-521-7977

Michael attended Drexel University where he received a B.S. in Music Industry with a business concentration. He then graduated cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2019 where he also received CALI Awards in Professional Legal Writing and Technology and the Law. Michael served as a law clerk at multiple Rhode Island law firms throughout law school and gained familiarity in the practice areas of insurance defense, intellectual property, and condominium law. Prior to attending law school, Michael worked in legislative lobbying and as the sole proprietor of a marketing and promotions business in the music industry. Michael was also a “lifer” of the Providence Country Day School located in East Providence, R.I.

Email Address: mmilas@gunninglafazia.com

Direct Dial: (401) 270-8863

Brenda Coville Harrigan received a national appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy and was a member of the second class of women to attend the Academy. She graduated summa cum laude in 1981 with a B. S. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. Brenda received her law degree from the South Texas College of Law, in Houston Texas, in 1985. After working as a corporate attorney for Exxon, U.S.A. in Houston, Texas and engaging in civil litigation in Newport, Rhode Island, Brenda joined Gunning & LaFazia in 1987 and became a partner in 1993. Her practice areas include: Civil Litigation, Insurance Law, Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Family Law, Employment Litigation, Wrongful Termination, and Sexual Harassment.

Brenda has over 30 years of trial experience in Rhode Island's Family, Superior and District Courts and has successfully argued numerous cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Brenda is admitted to practice in both Rhode Island and Texas.

E-mail address: bharrigan@gunninglafazia.com
Direct dial: 401-521-2629

Andrew graduated manga cum laude from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2019.
There, he served as a member of the senior editorial staff of the Roger Williams University Law
Review. Additionally, Andrew completed over one hundred hours of pro-bono service before
graduating, served as a teaching assistant for Secured Transactions, and he received the CALI
Academic Excellence Award for Wills &Trusts. Before that, he earned a B.A. in political
science, with a Minor in economics, from Roger Williams University in 2011. Andrew joined
Gunning & LaFazia as a law clerk during 2018 and is currently admitted to practice in Rhode
Island and Massachusetts.
E-mail address:
Direct dial: 401-521-6902