William H. Jestings
William H. Jestings

William H. Jestings

Partner
wjestings@benjestlaw.com

Bill’s practice has been primarily dedicated to representing healthcare providers. His work includes the defense of medical malpractice cases in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Superior and Appellate Courts, the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Bill has extensive experience representing physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, chiropractors, and audiologists in disciplinary matters before the Department of Health. He also represents healthcare providers in disputes involving compliance issues, interpretation of provider contracts, and disagreements concerning provider agreements.

In addition, Bill has litigated a broad range of business disputes, including antitrust matters, commercial claims arising from defective products, and breach of contract actions. He has a proven record of success representing clients from the inception of claims through trial and appeal.

Throughout his career, Bill has also conducted seminars and in-service training for physicians and nurses on a variety of risk management topics affecting their practices.

Areas of Practice

  • Medical Malpractice Defense
  • Legal Malpractice Defense
  • General Civil Litigation
  • Medical Provider Disciplinary Matters
  • Defective Product Defense
  • Mediation and Arbitration

Bar Admissions

  • Rhode Island, 1983
  • Massachusetts, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 1992

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
    • J.D. cum laude - 1983
    • Honors: Dean's List
    • Law Review: Suffolk Law Review, Note Author, 1981 - 1983
  • Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts
    • B.A. summa cum laude - 1979
    • Honors: Dean's List
    • Major: Political Science

Published Works

  • "Recognizing the Need for a Uniform System of Federal Comity in Diversity Decisions," 16 Suffolk University Law Review, 787-804, (Fall 1982)
  • Current Developments in Product Liability in Rhode Island, National Business Institute, 1997
  • Trial Practice in Rhode Island, National Business Institute, 2001
  • Medical Malpractice in Rhode Island, National Business Institute, 2000
  • Civil Law Practice in Rhode Island Superior Court, Rhode Island Bar Association, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

Honors and Awards

  • Academic Achievement Award, Suffolk University
  • Phi Gamma Mu Honor Society (Social Sciences)
  • Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society (History)
  • Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
  • Rhode Island and New England Super Lawyers

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
  • Rhode Island Bar Association

Past Employment Positions

  • Carroll, Kelly & Murphy, Partner, 1983 - 2009