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Richard M. Zielinski

Biography

Overview

Richard Zielinski, who practices in our Boston and New York offices, is a nationally known ‘bet the company’ trial lawyer who handles a wide range of complex, high-stakes commercial litigation. He is also known for his specific expertise in legal malpractice defense.

According to Chambers USA, Richard is ‘very smart, thorough and knowledgeable.’ Clients say he is ‘fantastic on his feet’ and ‘thinks seven steps ahead of everyone else.’

He has extensive trial experience in a wide range of business and real estate disputes, having handled cases involving the financing and construction of large office towers, breach of contract, partnership disputes, unfair competition, lender liability and cases under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A).

Richard is also well known for his representation of major law firms throughout the United States in malpractice cases, disciplinary matters and intra-firm disputes. On five occasions since 2015, he was named Boston's Legal Malpractice Defense Lawyer of the Year by peer-reviewed Best Lawyers in America, recognizing his leading work in legal malpractice defense in Boston. The Lawyer of the Year recognition is only awarded to individuals with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Additionally, in 2019, Richard was named a “Litigation Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal for his visionary work defending high-stakes malpractice and related cases for the largest and most prominent law firms.

He also defends manufacturers in products liability, mass tort and class action cases, and has been named Lawyer of the Year in these practice areas in the past as well. Representative clients include those from the pharmaceuticals, electrical products and tobacco industries.

Richard is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the highest professional honor a trial lawyer can receive.

Accolades

  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Hall of Fame, 2023
  • Boston Magazine Top Lawyers, Professional Malpractice Non-Medical Defense, 2022, 2023
  • Lawdragon, Leading 500 Litigators in America, (2022 and 2024)
  • The National Law Journal, Litigation Trailblazer, 2019
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, Massachusetts, Band 1
  • Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent TM
  • Best Lawyers, Boston Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year," (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024)
  • Best Lawyers, Boston Product Liability Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year," (2012 and 2014)
  • Best Lawyers, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year," (2013)
  • Best Lawyers, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation Defendants (2005-2024), Professional Malpractice - Defendants (2024)
  • "America’s Leading Business Lawyers," Chambers USA 2006-2016
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Massachusetts State Committee Chair, 2007-2009
    • Chair, Standing Committee on the Teaching of Trial and Appellate Advocacy, 2003-2005
    • National Trial Competition Committee
      - Member, 2014-2024
      - Chair, 2023-2025
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004-2023
    • Top 100 in Massachusetts and New England, 2007-2016, 2021-2022 (MA)
    • Top 10 in Massachusetts, 2010
  • Scholar-Mentor Award, MCLE, 2016

Affiliations

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (1998-present)
    • Chair, Massachusetts State Committee (2008-2009)
    • Chair, Teaching Trial and Appellate Advocacy  (2004-2005)
    • Member, National Trial Competition Committee (2015-present)
  • Member, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers (1999-2002)
  • Trustee, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (2007-2016)
  • Member, Boston Bar Association (1980-present)
    • Council Member (1997-2000)
    • Past Chair, Professional Liability Committee
    • Co-Chair, Administration of Justice Section (2001-2003)
    • Co-Chair, John and Abigail Adams Gala (2018)

Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Education

  • Harvard Law School  (J.D., cum laude, 1980)
  • Colgate University  (B.A., summa cum laude, 1977)