Richard W. Paterniti is a partner at Jones Kelleher. His practice involves the litigation and trial of personal injury cases with a focus on medical malpractice, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence and product liability cases. Rich has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts throughout the country and has worked on trial teams that have successfully obtained multi-million dollar resolutions for injured clients at trial, arbitration and mediation. His practice also has included employment and commercial litigation. Throughout his career, Rich also has represented his clients on appellate issues.

Rich has been recognized for his work by his peers and by national organizations. The Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice groups at Jones Kelleher in which he is a partner have received the highest rankings of excellence by various organizations, including the U.S. News and World Report.

Since 2015, Rich has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America publication in the category of Personal Injury Litigation. In addition, the Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory has awarded Rich an AV rating, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

In 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2023, Rich was selected by his peers as one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Massachusetts, as published in the New England Super Lawyers publication and in Boston Magazine. Since 2011, as published in Boston Magazine, Rich has been selected as a “Super Lawyer,” a rating given to the top 5% of practicing attorneys based on an extensive peer review and evaluation process. Prior to that, Rich was selected as a “Rising Star.”

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly selected Rich as one of its “Lawyers of the Year” in 2019. This distinction was based on a landmark decision Rich and his partner, Pat Jones, obtained from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in which the Court created new law in favor of the firm’s clients.

Rich is licensed to practice law in the federal and state courts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He is a graduate of Middlebury College (B.A., cum laude, 1993) and Boston College Law School (J.D., 1999) and has published several articles on various legal issues. He is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Rhode Island Association for Justice, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice.

Prior to 2014, Rich worked for more than 15 years at Cooley Manion Jones LLP representing clients in personal injury claims as well as employment and commercial disputes. He also spent more than five years representing clients at a national employment and labor law firm. In addition to his legal work, Rich served on the Board of Directors of Wide Horizons for Children, an organization dedicated to the well-being and security of vulnerable and orphaned children worldwide, for nine years. Over the years, he has contributed his time and energy to other non-profit organizations in the Boston area.

Boston College Law School
J.D., 1999

Middlebury College
B.A. (cum laude), 1993

Massachusetts
Rhode Island
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

American Association for Justice
Member

Massachusetts Bar Association
Member

Rhode Island Bar Association
Member

Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
Member

Rhode Island Association for Justice
Member

Best Lawyers in America
Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiff, 2015 – Present

Massachusetts and New England Super Lawyers
Super Lawyer, 2011 – Present
Top 100 Massachusetts Lawyers, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
Rising Star, 2009-2010

Martindale Hubbell National Law Directory
AV Rated, 2014

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Lawyers of the Year, 2019



Our team approach ensures that each case is appropriately staffed and that each matter receives the resources necessary to obtain the best results possible on behalf of our clients.

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

(617) 737-3100 OR (401) 273-0800