Atty. Tim Zerillo
Tim Zerillo is a civil and criminal litigator. Attorney Zerillo's practice focuses primarily on criminal defense and complex civil litigation.
Criminal Defense & More Attorney · Serving Portland, ME · 25+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Tim Zerillo at a Glance
Tim Zerillo is a Principal Attorney based in Portland, Maine, practicing at Zerillo Law Firm, LLC. They have 25+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2001. Their practice focuses on divorce, personal injury, criminal defense, family law, and business. Admitted to practice in Maine (2001), Maine (2001), and U.S. District Court District of Maine (2002). Educated at New England Law Boston J.D. (—) and University of New Hampshire B.A. (—). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serves clients in Portland, ME and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Tim Zerillo in Portland
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Tim Zerillo
- 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: “He operates at the highest level of professionalism, but doesn't hesitate to rip his opponents to shreds when warranted.” 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 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
Practice Areas Explained
Tim Zerillo's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Tim Zerillo handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Portland.
Divorce in Portland
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Tim Zerillo is one of 50,071 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Maine →
Personal Injury in Portland
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Tim Zerillo is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Maine →
Criminal Defense in Portland
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Tim Zerillo is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Maine →
Family Law in Portland
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Tim Zerillo is one of 185,688 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Maine →
Business & Corporate Law in Portland
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Tim Zerillo is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Maine →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Portland
Practicing law in Maine. Legal matters in Maine are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Maine state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Maine brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Maine courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Portland Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Portland-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Maine attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Maine.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Tim Zerillo
Where is Tim Zerillo's law office located?
What practice areas does Tim Zerillo handle?
How long has Tim Zerillo practiced law?
Where did Tim Zerillo go to law school?
How can I contact Tim Zerillo for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Tim Zerillo received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Portland Choose Tim Zerillo
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Tim Zerillo's practice in the field of divorce, personal injury, criminal defense, family law, and business.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Tim Zerillo brings 25+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Maine, Maine, and U.S. District Court District of Maine, Tim Zerillo can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering divorce, personal injury, and criminal defense, Tim Zerillo can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Portland
A Portland-based practice means Tim Zerillo attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Tim Zerillo Handles in Portland
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Tim Zerillo has experience with under Maine law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Tim Zerillo directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Tim Zerillo Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Portland commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Tim Zerillo.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Tim Zerillo directly.
Tim Zerillo's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Tim Zerillo
No reviews yet.