EXPERIENCE
Brent Ceryes is a partner at BMBF and has experience in environmental law, public entity litigation, sexual abuse and misconduct, and healthcare litigation.
Mr. Ceryes has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Law360, SuperLawyers, and The National Law Journal. He has also been recognized by Lawdragon as among the top 500 leading professionals nationally in both the categories of environmental law and consumer law.
Mr. Ceryes represents individuals and public entities in mass tort and class action litigation.
PUBLIC CLIENT REPRESENTATION
- Representation of more than 80 school districts in litigation seeking to hold social media companies responsible for the student mental health crisis caused by social media addiction, including representation of two bellwether Plaintiffs. In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3047).
- Representation of more than 40 cities and counties in Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky in litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors. In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804).
- Representation of more than 50 school districts in litigation against the e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL. In re: Juul Labs, Inc. Marketing, Sales Practices & Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2913).
ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION
- Class counsel in a landmark environmental case against chicken processing giant Mountaire. For close to two decades, the company had violated its permits by disposing of wastewater containing excessive nitrates, causing health problems and property damage for the community of Millsboro, Delaware, resulting in a settlement valued at $205 million.
- Ongoing representation of residents impacted by air pollution from a paper mill in Fort Mill South Carolina.
- Ongoing representation of residents of Elkton Maryland impacted by PFAS exposure.
SEXUAL ABUSE LITIGATION
- Representation of families impacted by pedophile pediatrician Earl Bradley, resulting in a settlement of $123 million.
- Representation of patients of patients in a lawsuit arising from conduct of an obstetrician-gynecologist at John Hopkins Hospital, resulting in a settlement of $190 million.
- Representation of survivors of sexual abuse in connection with the Maryland Child Victim’s Act.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
- Representation of more than 200 individuals potentially exposed to blood borne pathogens from an ambulatory surgery center.
- First and second trial experience representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice matters.
Mr. Ceryes received his undergraduate degree in mathematics and economics in 2008 from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his Juris Doctor in 2011, from the University of Maryland School of Law.
APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS
- Law360 Rising Stars “Best Attorneys Under 40” (2022)
- Law360’s Personal Injury And Medical Malpractice Editorial Board (2022)
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders In Law (2023, 2024)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer (2022-2024)
- Superlawyers Rising Star (2021, 2023, 2024)
- The Daily Record VIP List– Successful By 40 (2021)
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 – 2020, 2021
LEGAL PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- “How Greater Use of Issue Class Certification Can Bring Justice to Plaintiffs, Reuters (Nov. 2021) (with Patrick Thronson)
- Class Certification in Injury Cases, Mass Torts Made Perfect (2023) (with Patrick Thronson)
- Life Care Plans and Lost Earnings in Sexual Abuse Litigation, MAJ: Litigating Church Abuse Cases in Maryland (2023)
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Maryland
- District of Columbia
- United States District Court for The District Of Maryland
- S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Pro Hac in a variety of other jurisdictions
Mr. Ceryes is active in his community, volunteering and serving on the board of local organizations. He resides in Baltimore City, with his wife and daughter.