Professional Experience
Owner/Private Practitioner, November 1995 - Present
Peter R. Masciola, Attorney-at-Law is a plaintiff's law firm practice specializing in military and civilian medical malpractice claims, military physician and provider credentials, Federal Tort Claims Act, Military Claims Act, personal injury, military accidents, tort claims and law suits in DC and Federal Courts.
Senior Litigation Associate, January - November 1995
Law offices of Gerald M. Kirby, Boston, Massachusetts. Practiced criminal defense and plaintiff personal injury litigation in District and Superior Courts. Handled diverse criminal and civil litigation issues including complaints and indictments through appeals.
Chief of Medical Law, June 1993 - December 1994
Active Duty Major, United States Air Force Judge Advocate. Air Force Tort Claims and Litigation Division, Washington, D.C. Supervised the investigation, adjudication, and litigation of 350 medical malpractice FTCA claims and suits in Federal Courts against the Air Force worldwide involving over $1.5 billion in potential liability and tremendous adverse publicity. Managed seven attorneys negotiating settlement of 87 cases for $15 million. Advised Air Force Surgeon General on complex professional staff issues. Supervised Air Force Medical Law program, including training, and performance of 25 medical law attorneys. Instructed at seven Air Force Medical Law and Tort Litigation courses, training over 200 entry level attorneys.
Medical Law Consultant, July 1990 - June 1993
Andrews Air Force Base Medical Center, Maryland, and Clark Air base Medical Center, Philippines, served as in-house counsel for two of the largest Air Force hospitals, each operating 235 acute beds, consultive, and ancillary services. Legal advisor for 25 medical facilities and legal offices throughout the Pacific and Eastern United States providing quality assurance and risk management consultation. Responsible for the defense of 135 medical malpractice cases including medical investigation, legal research, and development of medical expert testimony. Drafted contracts and informed consent documents for medical research protocols. Provided over 200 hours of education to professional medical staff through annual lectures on developments in medical law and malpractice avoidance at Air Force medical facilities. Program Director of the annual Air Force Medical Law Consultants Course.
Circuit Trial Counsel, June 1988 - July 1990
Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines. Successfully prosecuted 42 felony jury, bench trials and officer discharge boards as lead counsel in cases involving child molestation, rape, manslaughter, theft, illegal drug use and distribution. Only one acquittal in two years. Responsible for litigating the most difficult cases at Air Force Bases in the Pacific including bases in Japan, the Philippines, Okinawa, Korea, and Guam. Trained over 50 inexperienced prosecutors and investigators on the Military Rules of Evidence, trial tactics, and court room decorum. Published a practical guide for prosecution of child molestation cases.
Area Defense Counsel, April 1987 - June 1988
Beale Air Force Base, California. Regional defense counsel for Air Force Bases in Western United States. Obtained four acquittals and reduced sentences in 20 felony and misdemeanor criminal trials. Co-counsel on two week hotly litigated first degree murder case successfully resulting in a verdict for involuntary manslaughter. Represented officers in numerous adverse personnel actions. Effectively defended 5 challenging clients following judicial release of previous counsel.
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, April 1984 - April 1987
Beale Air Force Base, California. Served as base prosecutor in 50 criminal trials and military personnel adverse administrative hearings. Provided contract, labor, and civil law counsel to command staff.