Profile
Handling all aspects of civil litigation, with a particular emphasis on professional liability defense, State Bar discipline, and defense of community associations and common interest developments, Peter is a shareholder in Murphy Pearson’s San Francisco office. His clients include lawyers, directors and officers, insurance brokers, architects and design professionals, as well as small businesses.
In addition to representing professionals, Peter maintains active practices representing clients in intellectual property matters and personal injury defense. Participating in both jury and bench trials, he has appeared before various state and district courts, as well as courts of appeal.
Experience
Representative Matters
- State Bar of California v. Attorney. Represented the defendant attorney in charges brought by the State Bar of California. The State Bar of California filed a Notice of Disciplinary Charges consisting of two counts against the attorney. After a three-day trial, both charges were dismissed and the defendant attorney was awarded her costs.
Published Appellate Decisions
- Ringcentral, Inc. v. Quimby, 711 F.Supp.2d 1048, United States District Court, Northern District, April 8, 2010 — Copyright, trademark and service mark enforcement, patent infringement.
Publications
- “New Rules Modify Unauthorized Practice of Law Rules in California,” The Daily Journal, October 5, 2018
- “Mediating Legal Malpractice? Come Armed with Information, Panel Says,” Bloomberg ABA/BNA, October 4, 2017
- “You Received An Investigation Letter From The State Bar – Don’t Panic. Here’s Your Game Plan,” co-author, Plaintiff Magazine, October 2017
- “Patent reform: Death knell for litigation?,” co-author, The Recorder, July 9, 2012
Presentations
- “Potential Medi-Cal Pitfalls in Estate Practice and How to Avoid Them,” Bar Association of San Francisco, December 2014
- “Mediating Legal Malpractice? Come Armed with Information, Panel Says,” co-presenter, City Club San Francisco, April 23, 2014
- “Ethical Advice for Solo Practitioners & Doing Pro Bono Work,” co-presenter, San Francisco Bar Association, May 2013
- Co-presenter of a lecture on ethics before the Bar Association of San Francisco; and co-speaker of “Got Ethics” before the Marin County Bar Association
- “How to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls When Doing Pro Bono Work,” Bar Association of San Francisco
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of California
- Breach Once More, Board of Directors
Recognitions
- Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers magazine (2013 – 2019, 2022)
Education
J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law; San Diego CA
B.A., Temple University; Philadelphia PA