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Paul Cereghini is one of Bowman and Brooke’s top trial lawyers and has been widely recognized as one of the best product liability trial lawyers in the United States. He defends product manufacturers nationally and has personally defended cases in more than 40 states. Among his most visible assignments, Paul was chosen by Yamaha to try its bellwether cases involving its Rhino side-by-side off-road vehicle which was under attack in hundreds of cases nationwide. He also serves as lead counsel for Riddell in the NFL player concussion litigation.

Paul Cereghini Yamaha RhinoDescribing Paul as "highly experienced in trial work," (2024) Chambers USA has identified him as a top trial lawyer nationally in automotive product liability for 16 consecutive years, 2008-2024. Recognized by The Legal 500, he was called out again as one of eight Leading Lawyers in the United States in the field of automotive/transport product liability defense in 2008-2024, acclaimed as "one of the top go-to trial lawyers of this space" (2021) with "formidable courtroom skills and subject matter knowledge" (2022) which has ensured that he remains a popular choice for automotive defendants in their highest exposure litigation.

As one of the firm’s founding attorneys, Paul focuses his practice on defending household name corporations, including manufacturers of automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, helmets, material handling equipment, electrical components and medical devices against product liability and other major liability claims. In his cases, Paul frequently deals with mechanical engineers, computer scientists, incident reconstructionists, biomechanics and other technical experts. He has defended his clients to verdict in more than three dozen catastrophic injury and wrongful death trials and defends multi-plaintiff consolidated matters and class action.

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona, 1984
  • California, 1990
  • Nevada, 2007

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
  • U.S. Federal Courts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2006
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1986
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 2015

Education

  • Arizona State University, College of Law, J.D., 1984

    magna cum laude

    Order of the Coif

    Senior Note and Comment Editor,1983 - 1984,Arizona State University Law Journal

  • University of Arizona, B.A., B.S., 1981

Professional Associations

    • Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)
      —Board Member
    • American Bar Association
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
    • State Bar of Arizona
    • State Bar of California
    • State Bar of Nevada

     

Distinctions

    • The Legal 500
      —Hall of Fame, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive Transport, 2017 – 2024
      —Named in Product Liability Defense: Automotive/Transport, 2008 – 2024
      —Hall of Fame, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products, 2020 – 2024
      —Named in Product Liability Defense: Consumer Products, 2014 – 2024
    • Chambers USA 
      —Top Trial Lawyer in Product Liability: Automotive, 2008 – 2024
      —Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, 2010 – 2024
    • Law360
      —Product Liability MVP, 2013
    • Honda North America, Inc.
      —Product Liability Trial Attorney of the Year, 2001, 2005
    • Lawdragon 500
      —Leading Lawyers in America for 2014 – 2016
    • Who's Who Legal
      — International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyer, 2013 – 2024
    • Benchmark Litigation
      —“Local Litigation Star,” Product Liability, 2013 – 2021
    • Best Lawyers 
      —Listed for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2014 – 2025
      —Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" for Product Liability Litigation in Arizona, 2015
    • Super Lawyers Magazine
      —Southwest Super Lawyers, 2010 – 2024
    • Los Angeles Daily Journal
      —Top Defense Verdict of 2010
    • The National Law Journal
      —Top Defense Wins of 2000
    • Arizona Bar Association
      —Highest Bar Exam Score in Arizona, 1984
    • Martindale-Hubbell
      —Rated AV Preeminent
    • Beta Gamma Sigma
    • Beta Alpha Psi

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies


CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

Recent News, Events and Blogs


Speaking Engagements

  • "Present Threats to Fair Jury Trials," Co-Presenter, PLAC Webinar, August 2020
  • "Sudden Impact: How the NFL/NCAA Concussion Litigation Could Influence Crashworthiness Liability and Damages Claims in Automotive Crashworthiness Cases," Co-Presenter, 2018
  • "Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation," Presenter American Bar Association TIPS, April 2018
  • "Managing Bet-the-Company Litigation," Presenter, International Association of Defense Counsel, Corporate College Counsel, April 2014
  • "Handling Products Liability Trials Involving Off-Road Vehicles and Motorcycles," Presenter, Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, American Bar Association TIPS, April 2013
  • "Pattern Product Litigation in the 21st Century: Impact on the Auto Industry," Presenter, Bowman and Brooke Hot Topics Seminar, December 2010
  • "Understanding the New Federal Roof Crush Standard (FMVSS 216) and Other NHTSA Regulatory Updates," Presenter, Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, American Bar Association TIPS, April 2009

Publications

  • "Rare Win Secured on Motion to Strike Class Allegations," Co-Author, Legal Alert, August 2019
  • "Mazza Not Wonderful Enough For Pom," (with Robert Wise),  Law360, October 2012
  • "Defending Your Products in 21st Century Pattern Litigation: Litigation at the Speed of the Internet," (with Kevin Curry), PLAC, April 28, 2011
  • "Huddled Masses Yearning to Strike It Rich: Foreign Plaintiffs Shopping for Gold in American Courts," (Co-Author),  Law.com, July 17, 2009
  • "Federal Tort Claims Act: Administrative Claim Prerequisite," Arizona State Law Journal, 1983