Timothy Wilton

Timothy Wilton serves as Consulting Counsel at Sheff & Cook, bringing more than five decades of litigation experience to the firm. A seasoned trial and appellate lawyer, he has handled complex civil and criminal cases across state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. His practice complements a distinguished academic career dedicated to advocacy training.

Timothy earned his A.B. in Government from Harvard College in 1968 and subsequently received both his J.D., cum laude (1971), and LL.M. (1977) from Harvard Law School. He began practicing law while still a student, representing clients through the Harvard Voluntary Defenders and assisting on high-impact civil rights cases.

Following law school, Timothy was recruited by the Roxbury Defenders Committee and later appointed Director of Law Reform Litigation for the Prisoners’ Rights Project. He went on to litigate high-stakes cases involving constitutional rights in Massachusetts state and federal courts. He also taught litigation at Harvard before joining Suffolk University Law School in 1984, where he is now a tenured professor and Director of the Trial and Appellate Advocacy Concentration.

Throughout his career, Timothy has continued to practice law while teaching. His insight into defense strategy—gained from years representing major manufacturers and insurers—now supports plaintiff advocacy in complex injury cases. He has trained countless lawyers nationwide in advanced trial and appellate litigation.

Timothy Wilton has held leadership roles in national legal organizations and has been repeatedly named a “Best Lawyer” by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report. His contributions to trial education and legal scholarship have earned him national recognition. With Sheff & Cook, Timothy continues to shape the future of litigation with his unparalleled knowledge and dedication to justice.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Sheff & Cook
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
• Member, Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators

Licensed State

• Massachusetts

Education

• Harvard Law School
  Master of Law (LLM)
• Harvard Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Harvard College
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Harvard College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges