Member

Joan Cerniglia-Lowensen

“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.” - Abraham Lincoln

Joan Cerniglia-Lowensen has over twenty six years of civil litigation experience throughout the State of Maryland in both state and federal courts. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Cerniglia-Lowensen was a registered nurse achieving both a BSN and a MS with a major in nursing. As an attorney, she primarily practices in the health care defense field. She defends nurses, doctors, veterinarians, dentists, healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, mental healthcare workers, urgent care facilities and nursing homes in medical malpractice matters; professional liability and tort claims; and disciplinary actions before various regulatory boards. She provides risk management advice to a variety of healthcare entities, insurers and individuals and continuing education to healthcare workers and entities; and has been published in both journals and texts on issues of risk management and liability of healthcare professionals. She also defends individuals and entities in a variety of civil litigation matters. Her civil defense practice includes representation of those in the hospitality industry in risk assessment, premises liability, personal injury and general tort matters.

Ms. Cerniglia-Lowensen is available to present on a variety of healthcare liability and risk assessment issues to physicians, nurses, nursing home administrators, dentists, veterinarians and other healthcare providers and groups.

Inquiries can be directed to information@pklaw.com.

Personal Information

Education

University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1992)
University of Maryland Graduate School (1981)
University of Maryland School of Nursing (1981)
St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing (1979)

Bar Admission

Maryland
District of Columbia
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Supreme Court of the United States

Bar Associations

Women’s Bar Association

Other

Member: Harmonie, Medical Malpractice Defense Committee
Member: American Society of Healthcare Risk Managers
Member: Association of Nurse Attorneys
Member: Sigma Theta Tau
Member: Counsel on Litigation Management
Member: American Veterinary Medical Law Association
Board Member and Officer: Citizenship Law Related Education Program/Professional Development and Training Center
Board of Directors, Institute of Notre Dame
Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America
Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, 2012-2020
Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Lawyers 2014
AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell
2015 Washington D.C. and Baltimore Legal Leaders (General Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Estate and Trusts)
Fellow: Maryland Bar Foundation

Recently Published Articles

Joint Author, Recent Developments In Animal Law: Leading Lawyers on Complying with Evolving Regulations and Overcoming Animal Rights Challenges (Inside the Minds). Thomson Reuters, 2015. Print
“Learning From Mistakes and Near Mistakes: Utilizing Root Cause Analysis As A Risk Managemnet Tool,” Journal of Radiology Nursing Feb. 2015
“So You’re Starting A Practice,” In Session with Allied World Winter 2015
Joint Author, Defending Professional Liability Claims: Case Studies From Leaders in the Field. ExecSense May 2013. e-book
Best Practices for Defending Long-Term Care Liability Claims. ExecSense, 2012. e-book”

Representative Cases

The following represents a sample of jury trials in which Joan Cerniglia-Lowensen was principal counsel (first chair). Additionally, Ms. Cerniglia-Lowensen has conducted 200 to 300 District Court trials. Unless specifically identified, Ms. Cerniglia-Lowensen represented the defendant in all cases.

Medical Malpractice:

Puskarich v. Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
This matter was held before the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Maurice Baldwin. A jury verdict was rendered in favor of the Defendants. Read More

Medical Negligence:

Smoot v. Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
This matter was tried before a jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. This was a medical malpractice case before the Honorable Judge Nickerson. A defense verdict was rendered in this matter. Read More

Premises Liability:

Majchravak v. Frendco Restaurants
This matter was tried before the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Judgment was entered on behalf of the Defendant. The presiding judge was the Honorable John Fader. Read More

Veterinary Malpractice:

McDonald v. Donaldson
This matter was held before the Circuit Court for Cecil County before the Honorable O. Robert Lidums. The jury rendered a defense verdict after deliberation. Read More

Motor Tort:

Burke v. Harrison
This matter was held before the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. A judgment in the amount of $25,000 was rendered against the Defendant. The lowest demand had been $25,000. Read More

Breach of Contract:

Honton v. Lighthouse Marina
This matter was in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City before the Honorable Judge Ammerman. This bench trial resulted in a verdict for Lighthouse Marina. Read More

The cases identified above are representative. It is important to recognize that each case is different and that an attorney’s past record is no assurance that he/she will be successful in reaching a favorable result in any future case.

Community Involvement

Former Board Member: The Casey Cares Foundation

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell

Super Lawyers

Maryland Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2014 by Maryland Super Lawyers