“He operates at the highest level of professionalism, but doesn't hesitate to rip his opponents to shreds when warranted.” - Former Client
Tim Zerillo is a civil and criminal litigator. Attorney Zerillo's practice focuses primarily on criminal defense and complex civil litigation. Renowned for his zealous advocacy, Zerillo has won numerous trials of all types, as well as motion hearings, settlements and criminal dismissals for his clients. One client described Tim as follows:
Tim has a love for Maine, and that is why he has made the state his home. Despite practicing law in a small state, he has gained a national reputation. He has given talks to other lawyers across the country on a variety of topics, including lectures for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys.
With a strong focus on the constitutional rights of his clients, Tim pushes back when there is government overreach. He is particularly interested in the intersection between digital searches and the Fourth Amendment. He frequently brings suppression motions for clients in federal and state courts seeking the suppression of evidence for constitutional violations attendant to digital searches, along with other unreasonable search and seizure.
Tim is the only lawyer practicing in Maine to ever be elected to the prestigious American Board of Criminal Lawyers. The ABCL “was founded in June 1978 by San Francisco attorney Nathan Cohn, who conceived the idea of an exclusive national, legal, honorary society for outstanding criminal trial lawyers, with admission to fellowship by invitation only.” The standards for acceptance to the ABCL include success in major felony trials and exceptional recommendations from distinguished judges attesting to the candidate’s high ethics and litigation skills in criminal defense.
Tim is a published author, with a focus, naturally, on criminal defense. He authored the nationally published book titled “Defending Specific Crimes,” which is now in its second edition.
He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is only the second Maine lawyer to ever serve on the Board of Directors of NACDL, and is the first lawyer elected to the Board in over 25 years.
While Attorney Zerillo’s scope is national, he remains committed to the interests of justice in Maine. He is a Past President of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is also a recipient of MACDL’s President’s Award, which is given to the criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of MACDL and the legal profession. He is the Chair of the MACDL Continuing Legal Education Committee.
Tim has represented people from all walks of life. He has represented actors and athletes, lawyers and doctors, lobstermen and laborers. Tim's cases are often notable and have at times been the subject of national, and even international, media coverage. Tim has been featured in newspapers throughout Maine and the United States, including the Boston Globe and New York Times, the Daily Mail in London, and in magazines such as Vanity Fair.
He achieved a rare federal dismissal of a drug conspiracy charge for a United States soldier who gave up his life as a Los Angeles drug dealer to fight as a soldier in Afghanistan.
Tim was co-counsel in the Anthony Sanborn case, in which a 70-year murder sentence was vacated after a five-week trial.
Tim won a motion to suppress evidence in 2018, leading to a dismissal of a manslaughter case involving a tragic boating accident.
The vast majority of Attorney Zerillo’s criminal cases are never in the media and that is how his clients like it. Preserving the reputation of his clients is critical to Tim. While he is not afraid of the spotlight, he does not seek it, especially if it means keeping his client out of the media.
Attorney Zerillo is listed in the "Best Lawyers In America" under the category of “White Collar Criminal Defense.” He has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of their “Top 100” attorneys. He has been elected to New England Super Lawyers every year since 2010.
On the civil side of his practice, Attorney Zerillo regularly handles complex tort, personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights cases in which the damages to his clients have been significant. He has represented those who have suffered amputations, paralysis, and other serious injuries in accidents that were not their fault. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Tim was an Allstate Insurance Company claims representative. He uses his knowledge of the insurance industry to help his clients achieve the best results for their injuries. He also handles complex "bet the house" business litigation, recently winning two large verdicts for clients in disputes between business partners.
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