Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020 
“A prominent defense attorney” — Portland Press Herald
“He operates at a high level of professionalism, but doesn't hesitate to challenge his opponents when warranted.” — Former Client
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Timothy E. Zerillo is a Maine trial lawyer and founder of Zerillo Law Firm LLC in Portland, Maine. His practice focuses on criminal defense, including white-collar criminal defense, sex crime defense, drug offenses, computer-related offenses, and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts throughout Maine.
For more than two decades, Mr. Zerillo has represented clients in high-stakes criminal and civil matters ranging from felony jury trials to business disputes and personal injury litigation. He has handled cases involving allegations of gross sexual assault, drug trafficking, assault, theft offenses, fraud, unlawful sexual contact, criminal threatening, and federal white-collar offenses.
Mr. Zerillo regularly lectures lawyers nationwide on criminal defense strategy, trial advocacy, digital evidence, sentencing advocacy, and cross-examination. He has presented programs for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys, the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Virginia State Bar, the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Mr. Zerillo is the grandson of writer and historian Earl Schenck Miers. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire in 1995 and received his Juris Doctor from New England Law in 2000.
Criminal Defense and White-Collar Crime
Mr. Zerillo represents clients from a wide range of backgrounds, including business owners, professionals, laborers, athletes, and public figures. Some of his cases have received coverage from publications including The Boston Globe, The New York Times, NBC News, the Daily Mail, and Vanity Fair.
His criminal defense practice includes state and federal matters involving white-collar crime, fraud allegations, computer crimes, drug offenses, sex offenses, violent crimes, and financial investigations. He regularly appears in Maine trial courts, the United States District Court for the District of Maine, and before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
White-collar criminal defense matters handled by Mr. Zerillo include allegations involving theft by deception, forgery, identity theft, insurance fraud, securities-related offenses, wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy, false statements, and computer-related crimes. He also represents clients involved in parallel state and federal investigations.
Mr. Zerillo has extensive jury trial experience across Maine. His practice includes both felony and misdemeanor defense, with experience handling cases involving gross sexual assault, aggravated assault, aggravated drug trafficking, theft offenses, criminal threatening, and drug crimes. On the civil side of his practice he has won a number of high stakes and complex civil cases at trial.
Trial Results and Litigation Experience
Mr. Zerillo has obtained acquittals, dismissals, favorable negotiated resolutions, and hung juries in serious criminal matters. In addition to courtroom advocacy, he is known for extensive motion practice involving digital evidence, constitutional issues, and suppression litigation.
In one Class A Gross Sexual Assault case, Mr. Zerillo secured a hung jury after the prosecution maintained that conviction was unavoidable. In another serious felony matter, he was retained following a successful appeal by prior counsel and later negotiated a resolution resulting in time served shortly before retrial.
Outside criminal defense, Mr. Zerillo represents select clients in personal injury and business litigation matters. He has obtained substantial settlements and jury verdicts in civil disputes involving business partners, commercial claims, and injury cases. He has achieved multiple seven-figure verdicts for his clients.
Professional Associations and Leadership
Mr. Zerillo is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and has served two terms on its Board of Directors. He is NACDL's Treasurer. He currently chairs NACDL’s annual Defending Modern Drug Cases seminar in Las Vegas and serves on several NACDL committees, including Membership, Mental Health, Decarceration, Voting Rights, and Budget.
He is a Past President of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) and previously received the organization’s President’s Award. He also serves as Chair of MACDL’s Continuing Legal Education Committee.
In 2023, Mr. Zerillo was elected to the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, an invitation-only national legal organization whose membership requirements include significant criminal trial experience and judicial recommendation.
Writing and Speaking
Mr. Zerillo frequently lectures on criminal defense topics including digital searches, electronic evidence, sentencing advocacy, and cross-examination. His presentations have included:
- Beating a Stacked Deck: Attacking Electronic Evidence in Digital Searches
- Cross Examination By A Thousand Papercuts
- Cross-Examining the Medical Expert in Child Sexual Assault Cases
- Songs of Freedom: Making Your Client’s Story Sing at Sentencing
- I Don’t Believe You: Cross-Examining the Alleged Victim in the He Said/She Said Case
He is also the author of numerous articles on criminal defense tactics and the book Defending Specific Crimes, published by James Publishing.
Outside the Practice of Law
Outside the courtroom, Mr. Zerillo enjoys fitness training, running, cycling, and boating. A lifelong Mainer, he spends time on Sebago Lake whenever his schedule (and the weather) allows.
