Bowman and Brooke Elects Paul Cereghini as Firm Chair
Bowman and Brooke LLP, a nationally recognized trial law firm focused on defending high-stakes product liability and mass tort cases, is proud to announce the election of Paul Cereghini as Firm Chair, a position that has been held by only two others in the firm’s illustrious 30-year history. The position was most recently held by David W. Graves, Jr., a founding partner of the firm, he is now the firm's vice chair.
Recognized profession-wide as one of the nation’s foremost product defense lawyers, Cereghini was one of Bowman and Brooke’s founding attorneys who, as Vice Chair and Executive Committee member, has played a key management role over the years, helping shape the firm’s strategic growth throughout the United States.
With his ascension, Cereghini becomes the only lawyer based in Phoenix to chair a national law firm not originally founded or based in Arizona. Among his clients are numerous household-name corporations, including manufacturers of automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, helmets, material handling equipment, electrical components, and medical devices. Cereghini has personally defended cases in over 40 states.
Among his highest-profile assignments, Cereghini was chosen by Yamaha to try the first bellwether cases involving its Rhino side-by-side off-road vehicles. He is also lead counsel for Riddell in the NFL player concussion litigation.
A key member of the firm’s automotive team, Cereghini served as Honda’s national three-wheel all-terrain vehicle trial counsel; Ford Motor Corp.’s national Mustang post-collision fire trial counsel; and Chrysler Tier 1 Regional Counsel. He is also designated lead trial counsel in diverse cases for BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and others.
A true child of the Southwest, Cereghini received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and his law degree at Arizona State University College of Law.
Cereghini has garnered countless awards and accolades over the years, including Law360 Product Liability MVP in 2013. He was named a “Leading Lawyer by The Legal 500 in “litigation – product liability and mass tort defense in automotive/transport.” Mr. Cereghini has also been recognized by Chambers USA in the Nationwide Individual category and Automotive Spotlight, as well as by Who’s Who Legal 2013 in the Product Liability Defense category. Chambers USA cited “his excellent trial technique and tenacious yet flexible approach.”
As Cereghini assumes the title of Firm Chair, David Graves, Jr. will continue in his role as Firm Vice Chair. Cereghini and Vincent Galvin were re-elected to new three-year terms on the firm’s Executive Committee (EC) where they are joined by Kim Schmid, Kurt Kern, and Mary Pawelek.