Ernest F. Teitell

Phone: (877) 731-9050 (Toll Free) E-mail:  Ernest Teitell Fax:       (203) 325-3769 V-Card

Dedicated to practicing compassionate law

Ernie's professional qualifications are clearly reflected by having practiced both criminal as well as civil law during his professional career. The kinds of cases he has been involved in are represented below, but more important is the humanistic approach he has taken with every single case he has worked on for the last 30 years. Extended exposure to the ravages of medical malpractice, defective products, catastrophic vehicle collisions, and most poignantly, sexual abuse, has made Ernie a fierce advocate for those whose lives have been irretrievably altered. Having been involved in many hundreds of cases, possibly numbering into the thousands, he has lost only a handful of them. It is important to understand that it is the ones he lost that define his drive for excellence with every client he works for. Nobody understands the devastating impact of life-altering events better than an attorney who spends many months, often years, dealing with a case. Ernie insists that the role of compassion and the ability to truly listen remain foremost when dealing with family, friends and colleagues as well as the victim involved in traumatic situations. He believes it is crucial that the legal profession elevate its perceptions and the practice of law to greater heights. His advocacy for more compassionate and concerned participation on the part of all lawyers is something he practices and teaches. So, in addition to the roster of professional seminars Ernie presents across the country, he also teaches internationally and writes articles for legal journals and magazines on the subject of humanistic and ethical best practices.

Putting his philosophy to work in the community

Ernie believes that the role of advocate is something that should be carried through to the larger community. For the last 23 years, he has taught Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Practice at Quinnipiac University School of Law. He donates his entire salary to a scholarship for first-year law students. When the events of 9/11 brought terror to our shores, Ernie volunteered his legal services to the Connecticut families of victims, earning him the 2004 Pro Bono Award from the Connecticut Law Tribune. When Connecticut politicians tried to confiscate two million dollars from the “Client Security Fund” that was created by the Legislature and reserved to compensate victims whose savings were stolen by unscrupulous lawyers, Ernie went to the Court to prevent the ravaging of the fund. Because of his efforts in helping to preserve the fund, the Connecticut Law Tribunepresented him with the 2009 Publisher’s Award. His advocacy before an appellate court resulted in the creation of the Baxter Rule. It is a legal doctrine called upon by Connecticut lawyers in nearly every multi-defendant medical malpractice action that goes to court.

Recognized for integrity

In 2006 Ernie was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Its members are considered to "represent the most exceptional attorneys in the world" and are limited to 500 individuals. The IATL says its purpose "is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reforms in the law, facilitate the Administration of Justice, promote the Rule of Law internationally, (and) elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession…"

Recent cases and results

Ernie consistently obtains fair compensation for his clients' losses in catastrophic cases of personal injury and medical malpractice.

• A jury award allowed a family to fully provide for a child whose heart condition was undetected.
• The wife and child of a man will be provided for, following his death due to gross negligent care after hernia surgery.
• Striving to prevent future sexual abuse cases, Ernie has not only obtained just compensation for victims, but he has also focused media attention on the problem. His advocacy resulted in responsible organizations publicly acknowledging the issue.
• Sometimes it is the principle, not the money, that retains primacy. A defective piece of camping equipment suffocated a 21-year-old boy. His family used the proceeds to establish a fund to help troubled kids.
• A Subway employee, who had been provided alcohol on the job, killed an 18–year-old Eagle Scout. Ernie negotiated a fair settlement before the family had to face the ordeal of going to court.
• A young mother died when her doctor failed to recognize complications after she gave birth to a baby daughter. Nothing can make up for the child's loss, but the jury verdict will provide for her welfare during her lifetime.
• A fall down a flight of stairs resulted in a child who was brain damaged for life. The defendant had previously refused to make any settlement offer. However, when confronted with the case in court they changed their minds. The family was able to buy a home and to provide the necessary care and therapy for their child throughout his lifetime.

Areas of Practice

• Medical malpractice
• Defective products
• Catastrophic injuries
• Sexual abuse

Bar Admissions

• Connecticut, 1978
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1986

Education

• Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana, Juris Doctor
• Bethany College, Bachelor of Arts

Academic

• Adjunct Professor, Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Practice, Quinnipiac University School of Law, 1987 - Present
• Quinnipiac University School of Law, Dean’s Counsel (Chairperson)

Honors and Awards

• Publisher’s Award, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2009
• Quinnipiac University School of Law – 2005 the Barrister’s Award
• Pro Bono Award, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2004
• Quinnipiac University School of Law - 2003 Honorary Law Degree
• Best Lawyers in America
• Induction as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2006
• Connecticut Magazine – Connecticut’s Super Lawyers 2011/2012,* Top 50 Lawyers
• Connecticut Magazine – Connecticut’s Super Lawyers 2011, Top 50 Lawyers
• Connecticut Magazine – Connecticut’s Super Lawyers 2010, Top 50 Lawyers
• Connecticut Magazine – Connecticut’s Super Lawyers 2009, Top 50 Lawyers
• Connecticut Magazine - Connecticut's Super Lawyers 2008
• Connecticut Magazine - Connecticut's Super Lawyers 2007
• Connecticut Magazine - Connecticut's Super Lawyers 2006
• New England Super Lawyers Magazine – New England Super Lawyers 2011, Top 100 Lawyers
• New England Super Lawyers Magazine – New England Super Lawyers 2010, Top 100 Lawyers
• New England Super Lawyers Magazine – New England Super Lawyers 2009
• New England Super Lawyers Magazine – New England Super Lawyers 2008
• New England Super Lawyers Magazine – New England Super Lawyers 2007
• Westchester Magazine - Connecticut's Top 5 Personal Injury Trial Lawyers 2008
• Westchester Magazine - Connecticut's Top 5 Personal Injury Trial Lawyers 2007
• Westchester Magazine - Connecticut's Top 5 Personal Injury Trial Lawyers 2006
• American Association for Justice – inducted 2002; Diplomate

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2005-2006)
• Connecticut Bar Association
• Board of Editors, Connecticut Bar Journal
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy
• American Board of Trial Advocates (Member)
• The National Victim Bar Association (Member)

Recent News

• Rebuilding Shattered Lives, September 2011
• Owning Up to a Boy's Death, May 2011
• CEO, Pool Company Plead Guilty in Greenwich Boy’s Drowning, April 2011
• Shoreline Pools and CEO Enter Guilty Pleas in Child's Pool Drain Entrapment Death, April 2011
• Rising Up to Stop a Raid, May 2009
• Pool Death Causes Legal Ripples
• Lawsuit Alleges Stamford Marriott Negligence Led To Parking Garage Sexual Assault
• Complaint: Multiple Code Violations Led To Greenwich Child Drowning
• Physician the Victim of Colleagues' Negligence
• Wrongful Death Claim Settled For $2.2 Million
• Listening - CTLA Forum

Contact Ernest Teitell to discuss your legal needs

Individuals and businesses in Connecticut rely on the skill and professionalism of the trial attorneys at Silver Golub & Teitell. We take both business and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Contact usonline to find out how we can help. We represent individuals and businesses in personal injury, wrongful death, and business litigation throughout the state of Connecticut, including Fairfield County, New Haven County, Hartford County, and the following communities:

* Connecticut Super Lawyers is published annually in the February issue of Connecticut Magazine and the November issue of New England Super Lawyers Magazine. Connecticut Super Lawyers is based on the survey of more than 13,000 attorneys across the state who have been in practice for five years or more. Please review each individual attorney’s biographical page for information about the year or years of selection by Super Lawyers.