John W. Cerreta

Appreciating All Angles

John Cerreta first decided he wanted to be a lawyer in his junior year of college, when he took a political science class on the Supreme Court. At the time, he never imagined he might someday have the chance to work at the Court. But a few years later, there he was, serving as a law clerk to Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Now a partner in Day Pitney's Commercial Litigation Department, Cerreta continues to draw on that experience as a litigator and appellate advocate.

"Judges are busy people, so every brief, every argument, everything you say to a court needs to be concise, clear and it should tell a good story," says Cerreta.

Before joining Day Pitney, Cerreta also clerked for Judge Michael A. Chagares of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and he worked as an associate at a New York law firm.

Since joining Day Pitney, Cerreta has briefed and argued a number of appeals in the state and federal appellate courts. He also maintains an active practice at the trial level in complex tort matters, product-liability cases and commercial disputes.

In just the past year, Cerreta has racked up a string of appellate victories for clients in both the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He prepared the briefs and presented the oral arguments in Schweizer v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (2d Cir. Dec. 18, 2015), Flores v. Holder (2d Cir. Feb. 26, 2015), and State v. Stovall (Conn. Supreme Ct. April 28, 2015), all wins for the firm's clients. Cerreta also co-authored the briefs in Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Konover (2d Cir. Nov. 17, 2015) and Schaghticoke Tribal Nation v. Kent School Corp. (2d Cir. Dec. 15, 2014), where, once again, Day Pitney's clients scored significant wins on appeal.

"You can't win every case," Cerreta notes. "But if you master the record and tell a compelling story, hopefully you can win your fair share."

Cerreta's clients agree that he is a stellar and convincing advocate in and out of the courtroom. "John is very efficient and very professional," says a client. "He gets to the heart of the matter. In the courtroom, I find him exceptionally well prepared, knowledgeable and confident."

When not in court, Cerreta enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his children's athletic teams.

COMPLEX TORT LITIGATION

Cornell Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 2005

University of Connecticut, B.A., summa cum laude, 2002

Admissions: Connecticut, New York