Peter Cerilli
Peter Cerilli has been representing persons who have suffered personal injuries or lost family members for more than 35 years. He has tried medical malpractice cases in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to verdicts in excess of $1 million. He has successfully litigated other substantial cases including wrongful death, product liability and dental malpractice matters, as well as other civil litigation matters. He devotes personal attention to each client and thoroughly prepares cases to obtain excellent settlements or verdicts. His accomplishments in his chosen area of practice have earned him recognition in the Best Lawyers in America® and both Rhode Island and New England SuperLawyers®, as well as an AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, which is its highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. He also received the Award for Professionalism, from the Rhode Island Association for Justice.
Peter is a graduate of LaSalle Academy and went on to Brown University where he graduated magna cum laude in 1978. He earned his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1981. He is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He has successfully argued cases before the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island.
Based upon Peter’s considerable skills, experience and reputation as a trial lawyer, he earned admission as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. This national organization of trial lawyers restricts its membership to only those attorneys who can demonstrate a record of trial experience and a reputation for high ethical standards and integrity. Peter is one of only 34 lawyers in Rhode Island who qualified for membership in ABOTA. Also, he has an AV Peer Review Rating
In 1988 he was appointed to serve on the Medical Malpractice Commission which held hearings in the Rhode Island State Senate to examine the problems and consequences resulting from medical negligence. From 1989 until 1992 he served as Assistant Solicitor for litigation for the town of Barrington, Rhode Island. He also served as Assistant Solicitor and litigator for the town of West Warwick, from 1993 until 2001.
Peter has lectured to Rhode Island lawyers on many legal and ethical issues over his career. He authored a chapter in the publication, “A Practical Guide to Discovery” in Rhode Island-MCLE New England. He has presented lectures on behalf of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Association for Justice and the National Business Institute, on such topics as: “Advanced Issues in Rhode Island Medical Malpractice,” “How to Get Your Expert Testimony into Evidence”, “The Strategy and Tactics of Dynamic Discovery” and “Ethical Issues in Negotiation,” among others.
He has represented clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases based upon a vast variety of causes: medical negligence by doctors and hospitals, nurses, dentists and medical technicians; dental negligence; harmful defective products or machines made by manufacturers and hazardous property conditions.
Peter lives with his wife and three children in Barrington, Rhode Island.
