Prior to joining London Fischer, Pete was a litigation partner at a national law firm, where he helped expand the firm’s toxic tort practice group. He previously served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California and as a Deputy City Attorney in the Criminal Division, Central Trials Unit, of the Los Angeles City Attorney's office. In these roles, Pete managed complex governmental investigations and prosecutions and developed broad trial experience in matters involving a wide range of federal and state crimes, including wire fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, drug trafficking, illegal firearms, domestic violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault.
Pete is a skilled trial lawyer who has tried dozens of cases to verdict. He has secured many high-profile defense verdicts and favorable results nationwide, including a defense verdict on behalf of Colgate-Palmolive Company in the company’s first trial in Kentucky alleging that asbestos contamination in talcum powder caused mesothelioma. Pete serves as trial counsel for engineering firms and manufacturers in an array of industries--including consumer products, industrial food processing equipment, industrial pumps, and building materials--in cases involving catastrophic injuries and exposure to toxic substances. Pete works closely with scientific and medical experts to strategize the best way to defend the integrity of his clients’ products. He also consults with his clients about labeling and warnings to minimize the risk of future litigation.
Pete generously shares his knowledge and experience with peers as an invited speaker for seminars across the U.S. Among his recent programs were presentations on “The Recent Talc Verdicts” presented at the DRI’s 2021 Asbestos Medicine Seminar in New Orleans and its 2023 Talc Litigation Seminar in Washington D.C.
Representative Civil Matters
- Garcia v. Colgate et al, Los Angeles, CA (2018); Allen v. Brenntag et al, Eureka, CA (2018); Henson v. Colgate et al, Los Angeles, CA (2019); Schmitz v. Johnson & Johnson et al, Oakland, CA (2019); Hayes v. Colgate et al, Louisville, KY (2019); Lewis v. American Talc Co., Indianapolis, IN (2019); Eggers v. Colgate et al, Oklahoma City, OK (2023) (Trial counsel for Colgate-Palmolive Company in litigation related to Colgate's cosmetic talcum powder products).
- Moore v. Avon et al, Los Angeles, CA (2021); Bryant v. Avon et al, Detroit, MI (2022); Chapman v. Avon et al, Los Angeles, CA (2022) (Trial counsel for Avon Products, Inc. in litigation related to Avon's cosmetic talcum powder products).
- Zamudio v. FMC Corp., Sacramento, CA (2023) (Trial counsel for food machinery company in case involving pulper/grinder equipment resulting in loss of limbs/amputation).
- Ford v. Ajax et al, Oakland, CA (2017) (Trial counsel for engineering construction company in case involving exposure to toxic substances resulting in lung cancer).
- Crank v. Air & Liquid Systems et al, Los Angeles, CA (2016) (Trial counsel for supplier company involving exposure to asbestos resulting in mesothelioma).
Representative Criminal Matters
- People v. Lundestedt (Prosecution against defendant who falsely impersonated a licensed physical therapist and visited victim's home on multiple occasions engaging in misconduct).
- People v. Montgomery (Prosecution against defendant who attacked and abused 73-year-old stepfather).
- US v. Pacli (Prosecution against defendant involved in drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession, and receiving stolen and forged U.S. Treasury checks).
- US v. Vanga (Prosecution against defendant who was serving a seven-year sentence for drug offense and escaped from prison).
- US v. Golden (Prosecution against defendant who used a private plane to transport and distribute narcotics out of state).
- US v. Godfrey (Prosecution against defendant who engaged in large-scale mining operation in national forest, causing significant natural resource damage).
- US v. Knockum (Prosecution against defendant who fraudulently claimed more than $3 million in tax refunds).
Outside of his legal practice, Pete enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling in his spare time, and supporting the New York Jets. He has also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and the Foothill Unity Center at the Arboretum, a nonprofit provider of services to help individuals and families achieve economic stability.
Awards
Southern California SuperLawyer “Rising Star” -- 2018-2023
Memberships
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute