Attorney Profile
Peter Clifford handles wrongful death cases, personal injury matters, malpractice, products liability, insurance disputes, will contests and a wide variety of business and estate litigation.
Peter has managed a statewide personal injury practice since 1991. In March, 2011, he completed his term as President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, which has more than 600 trial attorney members statewide. Pete handles wrongful death cases, personal injury matters, malpractice, products liability, insurance disputes, will contests and a wide variety of business and estate litigation.
Pete has achieved Martindale Hubbell’s highest independent Peer Review Rating, “AV- Preeminent,” for both legal ability and ethical standards. He has been selected by his peers to New England Super Lawyers, as one of the top 5% of attorneys in Maine, and has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America.
Pete grew up in Lewiston, Maine, with six brothers and sisters, and comes from a long line of attorneys and judges. He lives in Cape Elizabeth with his wife Stephanie, two daughters, Meghan and Olivia, and a son, Nick. He enjoys the Red Sox and Celtics, B.C. football, short story writing, skiing and running.
Education:
Boston College, Carroll School of Management, 1986 (Finance); Class President, 1982-86; Managing Editor, Observer of Boston College.
University of Maine School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1991). Class Rank: 6/69
Awards:
Elected, President, Maine Trial Lawyers Association, 2010
Elected, Maine Bar Foundation Fellow, 2008
Rated as “AV – Preeminent,” Martindale Hubbell
Listed, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law, New England Super Lawyers Magazine,
Listed, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law, The Best Lawyers in America
Bar/Professional Activity:
Member, Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure,
(2007 to present);
Member, Board of Overseers of the Bar – Attorney Grievance Commission, (2010 to present);
Member, Board of Overseers of the Bar – Fee Arbitration Commission, (2004 to 2009);
Chair of Fee Arbitration Panel 1-A (2008 to present);
Member, Roster of Superior Court Arbitrators and Mediators, (2001 to present). Since 2001, Mr. Clifford has mediated more than 100 cases for other Maine attorneys and their clients.
MTLA Legislative Committee Chair (2001 to present); Member, MTLA Board of Governors, (2000-2008)
Representative Verdicts and Settlements:
Shaw v. Stewart’s Transfer; case involved a parked vehicle struck by Canadian tractor trailer. Confidential wrongful death settlement, after successful Summary Judgment Ruling ruling. Decision published at US District Court, Maine, CV- 09-264, (2010)
Wilson v. Bodnar; ruling Permitted various Fraud Claims to proceed against Stockbroker, followed by confidential settlement. See decision at: US District Court, Maine; CV- 2-09-cv-544; (2010)
Rhoades v. Walsh et al; construction accident / crush injury, $2.2 million judgment in US District Court, Maine, CV- 08-368-P-H, (2009); (click here to read the decision)
Maskarinetz v. Allstate Insurance; pedestrian crossing outside of crosswalk struck by uninsured driver. “Soft tissue” neck and back injuries, with medical bills of $3,300. Verdict of $175,000 (2007);
Elliott v. Castonguay; premises liability, leg injury – plaintiff stepped in hot molten metal at junkyard. $326,000; (1996); A subsequent reach and apply action, Elliott v. Hanover Insurance Co. recognized claim against insurer for a failure to defend insured. 1998 ME 138, 711 A2d 1310;
Spottiswoode v. Levine; verdict for $135,000, reported at 1999 ME 79, 730 A.2d 166 (joint guarantors each liable for pro-rata share on guaranty);
Scholarly Lectures and Writings:
Columnist, “General Practice,” Maine Lawyers Review, 1998 to present; (Please see Articles section of the website for selection of articles);
Presenter, MSBA/MTLA Monthly Seminars on Rules of Evidence, 2007; Presenter, MSBA/MTLA Monthly Seminars on Rules of Civil Procedure, 2008.
Pro Bono Activity:
Member, Maine Attorneys Saving Homes, (MASH). MASH is a project of the Maine Bar Foundation, the Volunteer Lawyers Project and Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Volunteer Mediator, Youth Alternatives
York County and Maine State Bar Associations.