Providence RI 02903-1345
TEL: 401.274.7200
FAX: 401.751.0604
Practice Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Appellate
- Criminal Law/White Collar Defense
- Higher Education
- Insurance
- Litigation
- Products Liability Law/Toxic Tort Law
- Sports Law
Education
- Dartmouth College (A.B., magna cum laude, 1976)
- Boston College (J.D., magna cum laude, 1981)
- Kings College, University of London
Bar & Court Admissions
- Rhode Island
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First and Ninth Circuits
- U.S. Supreme Court
- John A. Tarantino
Shareholder, Providence - Email
vCard - Full Bio

A noted and highly awarded litigator who has successfully argued high-stakes, precedent-setting cases across the country, John Tarantino represents international manufacturers, major chemical companies, railroads, e-commerce businesses, entrepreneurs, sports coaches and managers, and leading real estate developers in sophisticated litigation matters involving complex issues of constitutional law, antitrust, intellectual property, product liability, toxic tort, white-collar crime, and employment law.
Passionate about his work and his profession, John lectures frequently on trial techniques and is a leading author of legal books and articles on product liability, discovery, evidence, procedure, medical-legal issues, legal ethics and trial strategy.
He has won significant trial victories for Atlantic Richfield Company, the Governor of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Senate, and other entities and individuals in cases ranging from toxic torts to constitutional law to bribery and wire fraud.
Significant Matters
- John successfully defended Atlantic Richfield Company in the longest jury trial in Rhode Island history, the landmark litigation brought by the attorney general against the former manufacturers of lead pigment used in paint. John’s client was the only defendant found not responsible by the jury. On appeal, John successfully defended the verdict as well.
- In one of the most high-profile and notorious criminal investigations in recent Rhode Island history, “Plunder Dome,” John successfully defended the former Mayor of Providence’s Chief of Staff on federal bribery, corruption and conspiracy charges, obtaining a not guilty verdict on all counts.
- In a case of first impression, John successfully defended the former Rhode Island Senate President on ethics charges. The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that the Rhode Island Constitution's speech in debate clause barred the Ethics Commission from charging a legislator for how he or she participated in the legislative process and voted on legislation.
- In two federal court trials (one in Rhode Island and one in Massachusetts), John defended a gaming facility on charges of "honest services" mail and wire fraud and conspiracy.
- John defended a national utility company on federal charges of violation of environmental laws relating to the storage of liquid mercury and mercury sealed regulators.
- In a case of first impression, John convinced the Rhode Island Supreme Court that the so-called "pollution exclusion" does not bar coverage for policy holders unless the policy holder intended to cause pollution and environmental damage to its property.
Honors & Distinctions
- Selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2006-2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, Appellate Law, Mass Tort Litigation, Product Liability Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation and White Collar Criminal Defense.
- Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers (Star Performer status).
- Lawdragon 500 (recognized as one of 500 leading lawyers in America and one of top 500 trial lawyers in America).
- Ralph B. Semonoff Award (Rhode Island Bar Association’s highest award for civility, professionalism and outstanding advocacy).
- Recipient, 2003 Award of Merit for outstanding service to the legal profession and to the Rhode Island Bar Association.
- Recipient, 2008 Equal Justice Award, Rhode Island Legal Services.
- Exceptional Performance Citation received from Defense Research Institute, 2004.
- Recipient, Boston College Law School 75th Anniversary Alumni Award, 2006.
- Named, Rhode Island SuperLawyer, 2007, 2008 and 2009, an honor that recognizes him as a leader in the legal community.


Professional Affiliations
- President, Rhode Island Bar Association – July 1997 - June 1998.
- President, New England Bar Association – October 2002 - October 2003.
- President, Defense Counsel of Rhode Island – June 2003 – June 2004.
- President & Fellow, Rhode Island Bar Foundation – June 2005 to the present.
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America.
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers.
- Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
- Fellow, International Society of Barristers (State Chair).
- Fellow, National Conference of Bar Presidents
- Member, American Board of Trial Advocates.
- Member, Sports Lawyers Association.
- Member, Justinian Society.
- Member, St. Thomas More Society.
Community & Civic Activity
- Poverello Center, Board of Directors.
- Boston College Law School Board of Overseers.
- National Judicial College Board of Visitors.
- United States Supreme Court Historical Society, State Chair (2007-2008).
- Boston College Law School, Alumni Association.
- Dartmouth College, Alumni Association.
- Providence Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council.
News
- AP&S Attorneys Play Key Role at R.I. Bar Association Annual Meeting
- 17 AP&S Attorneys Selected for 2010 Edition of Best Lawyers®
- 30 AP&S Attorneys Named to New England Super Lawyers 2009
- AP&S Gets Top Ranking Among RI Firms
- Top Honors for Super Lawyers "Superstars" at AP&S
- John Tarantino Represents R.I. Bar Association and R.I. Bar Foundation before R.I. Supreme Court
- AP&S Wins "Speech in Debate" Clause Case
- John Tarantino named to Lawdragon 500
- John Tarantino to be Honored by Rhode Island Legal Services
- New England Super Lawyers Includes 15 AP&S Attorneys
- Tarantino Named Leading Lawyer in America
- AP&S Ranked #1 in Rhode Island in Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers In America 2008
- Tarantino to Present at Evidence Seminar
- John Tarantino Honored with Award from R.I. Bar Association
- International Society of Barristers Honors John Tarantino
- Diversity Scholarship Subject of RI Lawyers Weekly Article
- Tarantino Speaks at Insurance Coverage & Practice Symposium
- Tarantino Named to Top 500 List for a Second Time
- Tarantino & White Speak for Association of Corporate Counsel
- Tarantino Honored with Award from R.I. Bar Association
- National Premier Trial Lawyer Organization Selects Tarantino
- Tarantino Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates
- Victory for AP&S Client in Lead Paint Trial
- Tarantino Sits on Panel at First Circuit Judicial Conference
Publications & Seminars
- Author of 11 legal texts and more than 200 legal articles, columns and reviews.
- Frequent lecturer on trial techniques.