Insight

How Panel Voir Dire Impacts Medical Malpractice Law

Annette Gonthier-Kiely, 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" award winner for Medical Malpractice Law in Boston, discusses her practice and trial strategy.

Annette Gonthier-Kiely "Lawyer of the Year"
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

April 16, 2019 04:39 PM

Annette Gonthier-Kiely, winner of the Best Lawyers 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” award for Medical Malpractice in Boston, has a long and consistent record of multimillion-dollar medical malpractice verdicts and settlements throughout her long career. “Helping families who have lost a loved one or individuals who have been seriously harmed by medical malpractice to receive substantial compensation and ease their burden gives me great satisfaction,” says Gonthier-Kiely.

Knowing that medical malpractice work improves safety for all patients is an added bonus. One such example was a win of more than $7 million against a top cardiac doctor who had three board certifications and was specifically hired for his well-known expertise in performing cardiac ablation for the patient’s type of arrhythmia. At the last minute, he lateraled the patient to his far less experienced, non-board certified protégé. The protégé was found negligent for missing signs of impending heart block and continuing to ablate leading to permanent heart damage. The jury found negligence, lack of informed consent and breach of contract against the doctor who had been hired, a verdict she refers to as her “hat trick.” This verdict was later featured in a Chicago Tribune article about patients’ need for informed and transparent discussions with the doctor before surgery about who is doing what.

To improve outcomes for medical malpractice plaintiffs, Gonthier-Kiely welcomed the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys Voir Dire Committee. She strongly believes that panel voir dire will assist in weeding out jurors who could never find against a doctor or who require a much higher standard of proof than the “more likely than not” civil standard, or who harbor other biases which prevent them from being impartial. To that end, as president of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys from 2015 to 2017, Attorney Gonthier-Kiely spearheaded statewide hands-on voir dire workshops to educate members on how to do panel voir dire effectively within the constraints of Massachusetts' standing order. “We still have a long way to go but the future is brighter.”

Related Articles

Aim High and Fly


by Khalil Abdullah

From a silent victim of hometown segregation to Air Force captain and lawyer of consummate skill, Karen Evans exemplifies leadership—and vows always to help those who seek to follow her path.

Karen Evans' Leadership in the Airforce

Andrew B. Yaffa - Miami 2021 Lawyer of the Year


by Best Lawyers

Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Miami, Florida

Andrew B. Yaffa

Jones Kelleher: 90 Years of Expertise and Dedication in Personal Injury Law


by Sean Stonefield

At Boston plaintiffs’ firm Jones Kelleher, attorneys Pat Jones, Tim Kelleher, and Rob DeLello have worked together for almost 25 years and now bring 90 years of cumulative experience to their practice.

Jones Kelleher: A Tradition of Excellence

Sarah R. London: Standing Up to Injustice Since Day One


by Justin Smulison

The Girard Sharp partner on steering multi-million-dollar litigation, and what it took to remain in the pilot seat while overcoming her own health challenges.

Sarah R. London head

Georgia’s Tort Reform Overhaul


by Bryan Driscoll

A New Front in the National Battle Over Civil Justice

Georgia tort reform hed

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

As Fla. Pushes to Repeal Controversial 'Free Kill' Law, DeSantis Signals Veto


by Bryan Driscoll

The fight to transform state accountability standards may be in trouble

free kill law hed

"Lawyer of the Year"


James A. Trigg LOTY

James A. Trigg

"Lawyer of the Year"


Jamie L. Cage LOTY Headshot Card

Jamie L. Cage

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer dressed professionally poses for headshot

Roslyn M. Tsao

Family Law

Toronto, ON, CA

2025

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer of the year wearing suit and posing for headshot photo

Ira G. Bogner

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

New York City, NY

2025

One of the Greatest Ever...


by Justin Smulison

Steve Yerrid, a top catastrophic injury lawyer, has secured over 300 verdicts of $1M+ and has been recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" multiple times in Tampa.

Lawyer in blue suit poses in office for headshot

Pribanic Secures Milestone Verdict in Rural PA County


by Justin Smulison

Ten-time honoree Victor H. Pribanic secured one of 2023’s most notable verdicts in a Pennsylvania county that historically has not been empathic to plaintiffs.

Lawyer sitting at desk with notepad and laptop

Shifting Risks in Renewable Energy


by Monica Wilson Dozier

Development of renewable energy projects is expanding at an unprecedented pace. But a burgeoning industry brings a host of legal considerations along for the ride. Here’s what counsel needs to keep in mind.

A Money Plug Connecting with an Energy Plug

The New Wild West


by Mary Frances Palisano

Artificial intelligence has only just begun upending industries of all kinds. It stands certain to play an exceedingly important role in criminal law as well.

Old Western Wanted Poster with pictures of four colorful AI robots

This Land Is . . . Someone’s Land: Recent Disputes Involving Energy Transition Projects


by Meghan Dawson McElvy

Recent growth in renewable energy and energy transition projects across the United States has sparked disputes among a variety of interested parties—and augurs plenty of contentious litigation in the years ahead.

Windmills in front of a setting sun

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

Blogging for Law Firms: Turning Content into Client Connections


by Jamilla Tabbara

How law firms use blogs to earn trust and win clients.

Lawyer typing blog content on laptop in office

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

Why Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk Want to 'Delete All IP Law'


by Bryan Driscoll

This Isn’t Just a Debate Over How to Pay Creators. It’s a Direct Challenge to Legal Infrastructure.

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey standing together Infront of the X logo

Build Your Legal Practice with Effective Online Networking


by Jamilla Tabbara

How thoughtful online networking supports sustained legal practice growth.

Abstract web of connected figures symbolizing online networking among legal professionals

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

As Fla. Pushes to Repeal Controversial 'Free Kill' Law, DeSantis Signals Veto


by Bryan Driscoll

The fight to transform state accountability standards may be in trouble

free kill law hed

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

Key Issues to Tackle on Law Firm Landing Pages


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics