Eric  V. Skelly

Biography

Eric is an experienced litigator who has successfully defended an array of clients in federal and state courts in complex tort and commercial matters. He focuses his practice on representing educational institutions in their most sensitive claims involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death, including matters involving suicides, substance abuse and mass casualty incidents. Eric also represents hospitals and entertainment venues; security firms; rehabilitation and assisted living facilities; manufacturers of industrial and safety equipment products, automotive; food and beverage companies; and medical device manufacturers.

He is particularly skilled at navigating the various relationships connected to these high-profile claims, including insurers and third-party companies, and formulating strategies which best protects his clients while also considering their business and moral objectives, operations, aspirations, and philosophies as a priority throughout the process.

Further, Eric provides counsel to companies ranging from Fortune 500 to startups nearing launch by providing full-scale risk analysis and developing protocols, procedures, and training to reduce future litigation, indemnity, and defense costs. In 2017 and 2018 Eric completed a six-month secondment with a major international manufacturing company, acting as their de-facto head of litigation overseeing hundreds of claims nationally involving personal injury and wrongful death. This experience has given him unique insights into what his clients require and expect from their outside counsel and he leverages this knowledge to successfully solve his clients problems, big or small.

Eric also has extensive experience serving as national coordinating counsel, where he has directed the defense of his clients' litigation throughout the country. This work includes strategy development; fact investigation; taking and defending key depositions; drafting significant motions and oppositions; preparing expert witnesses in various disciplines; preparing corporate witnesses; trials; appeals; and alternative dispute resolution. Eric’s philosophies and experience as coordinating counsel have allowed his clients to see a significant reduction in indemnity and defense costs.

Outside of the office, Eric proudly serves on the Board of Directors at Hill House, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting urban community through service activities that meet the diverse social, educational, recreational, and cultural needs of families residing in Boston’s neighborhoods. Eric is also the president of the Board of the Friends of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields, which oversees the restoration and maintenance of the much-loved youth athletic fields on Boston’s famed Esplanade. He resides in Boston with his wife and three children.

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School  (J.D.)
  • Roger Williams University  (B.S.)
    • Administration of Justice

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Connecticut

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Hill House, Board of Directors
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Maine Bar Association
  • Board of the Friends of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields

Distinctions

  • Certified by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyer® 
  • Best Lawyers®
    • Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 
  • Boston Magazine's Top Lawyers