He helps clients facing high-stakes claims with far-reaching implications in multiple jurisdictions and issue areas.
Before joining B&D, Peter built a bedrock understanding of federal litigation by clerking for both levels of federal trial court: with U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Fouratt in the District of New Mexico and U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello in the District of Colorado. Throughout these clerkships, Peter drafted over forty substantive judicial orders—including an eighty-six-page order on the merits of claims involving Clean Water Act dredge-and-fill permitting, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As a clerk, he assisted with ten settlement conferences and two jury trials and co-presented a CLE on best practices for drafting jury instructions.
At B&D, Peter focuses mostly on motions practice and discovery. He approaches drafting with a pragmatic eye, understanding what a court (and its clerks) needs to know based on his several years of helping judges decide how to craft their rulings. Examples of his work include a motion for summary judgment in California state court and motions to dismiss in California and Massachusetts federal courts. He has drafted letters to encourage pre-suit negotiations with federal agencies and helped Principals prepare for oral arguments before the Federal Circuit by effectively summarizing sixty years of procedural history. Moreover, Peter’s legal research has helped to disarm novel ESA claims and untangle the nuanced regulations applicable to drones operating within Department of Defense-controlled airspace.
Peter maintains an active pro bono practice at B&D focused on tenant rights. Through Peter’s pro bono work, he has rapidly gained experience working directly with clients to guide them from pleadings through mediation and an eventual jury trial, if necessary. His most recent victory involved obtaining complete dismissal of an eviction case within 48 hours of entering his appearance.
