A comprehensive Virginia state and federal court litigator – from complaint to appeal.
Peter knows Virginia’s courthouses. He’s worked for judges in Virginia circuit court, the federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Now, he practices in those same courtrooms, which are walking-distance from his office. Peter is a Virginia lawyer, with experience both in front of—and behind—the bench.
At the trial level, Peter has regularly served as first and second chair, strategizing and managing all phases of civil litigation, including pleading, discovery, and dispositive motions. He has expertise litigating in the federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia—also known as the “Rocket Docket” for its speed—having clerked there for two years for the Honorable Elizabeth W. Hanes. Having also tried and won cases in General District Court and Circuit Court in multiple jurisdictions, Peter has equally specialized knowledge of Virginia state courts.
Peter further serves as a state and federal appeals attorney—a rapidly-expanding practice in Virginia. He has briefed and orally argued multiple appeals before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, Supreme Court of Virginia, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. His clerkship for Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn on the Supreme Court allowed him to gain valuable insight into navigating or exploiting appellate procedural hurdles, and exposed him to a comprehensive view of civil claims and defenses—be it commercial, employment, property, personal injury, or other tort.
Peter’s mix of trial and appellate experience makes him ideal for strategizing complex cases that require a deep understanding of Virginia’s various courts, forums, procedures, and judges. Peter has served, for instance, as embedded appellate counsel for other trial attorneys, assisting them in setting the stage for appeals in high-dollar cases. See, e.g, Roque v. Winters (reversing $5 million jury verdict).
Peter is professionally fluent in Spanish and dedicates part of his legal practice to serving Richmond’s and Virginia’s Spanish-speaking communities.
Beyond the law, Peter is an avid music fan, trained saxophonist, and outdoor enthusiast, having learned to backpack and white-water kayak on the James River here in Richmond. He is also a proud alumnus of Davidson College where, according to Peter, “the greatest basketball player who’s ever lived or who will ever live,” Stephen Curry, also attended.
Practices
Civil Litigation
- Commercial, Contract, and Corporate Governance Disputes
- Federal Courts and Local Counsel Practice
- Government, Public Official, and Municipal Liability Defense
- State and Federal Appellate Practice
Labor and Employment
Professional Licensure, Administrative, and Regulatory Disputes
Representative Experience
APPELLATE EXPERIENCE
- Orally argued before the Supreme Court of Virginia and Court of Appeals of Virginia.
- Windset Capital Corp. v. Debosky, et al., No. 230733 (Sup. Ct. Va. Sep. 10, 2024)
- Warren v. Aikey’s Home Improvement, LLC, No. 1179-24-2 (June 11, 2025)
- Served as embedded appellate counsel to reverse a $5 million jury verdict. Roque v. Winters, 2024 Va. App. LEXIS 731, 2024 WL 5126995 (Dec. 17, 2024)
- Principally drafted brief in state and federal appeals courts. See, e.g., Burgess v. SYP Hospitality, 2024 Va. App. LEXIS 545, 2024 WL 4269226 (Sep. 24, 2024)
TRIAL EXPERIENCE
- Successfully briefed and argued summary judgment motions in federal and state court. See, e.g., Keeley v. Hines, 782 F. Supp. 3d 292, 295 (E.D. Va. 2025) (employment); Masingo v. Beale, No. 2:22-cv-382 (E.D. Va. 2025) (constitutional); Shummete v. Nat’l Continental Ins., 3:24-cv-665 (E.D. Va. 2025) (insurance coverage); Rosedale Hospitality Partners v. Belmont Service, LLC, CL22000176-00 (Cir. Ct. Westmoreland Cnty.) (real property); JFGF LLC v. Rob the Builder, CL23001826-00 (Cir. Ct. Williamsburg/James City Cnty.) (commercial construction).
- Successfully prosecuted and defended dispositive motions to dismiss in federal and state court. See, e.g., Ass’n of Am. R.R. v. Hudson, et al., 2024 WL 1626105, No. 1:23-cv-815 (E.D. Va. 2024) (constitutional); Hatcher v. Hines, 2024 WL 1158365, No. 3:23-cv-325 (E.D. Va. 2024) (employment); Harrup v. Oakey, 2025 Va. Cir. LEXIS 83 (May 22, 2025) (defamation).
- Obtained arbitration award for $500,000 in attorney’s fees in co-counsel dispute.
- Orally presented witness testimony, motion to strike, and closing argument as second-chair counsel in two-day circuit court trial. VSB v. May, CL22001481-00 (Cir. Ct. Culpeper) (bar disciplinary).
- Obtained verdict for plaintiff in willful Virginia Consumer Protection Act violation. Jessee v. ARJ LLC, No. GV25002431-00 (Gen. Dist. Ct. Hanover Cnty.).
- Vacated default judgment after conducting evidentiary hearing. Jones v. A Cure in Sight, No. GV25004952-00 (Gen. Dist. Ct. Henrico Cnty.) (contract payment dispute).
CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Law Clerk to Hon. Elizabeth W. Hanes, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- Law Clerk to Hon. S. Bernard Goodwyn, Supreme Court of Virginia
Recognition
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© “Ones to Watch” in the field of Commercial Litigation (2024-2026)
- Selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, Civil Litigation: Defense category (2025)
- Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” Young Lawyer (Under 40) category (2023-2025)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyers List (2024)
- Keynote Speaker, The University of Richmond School of Law Pro Bono & Recognition Ceremony (2024)
- Author, A Primer on Amicus Briefing in Virginia’s Appellate Courts, The Virginia Bar Association Journal (Fall 2024)
- Selected by the Virginia Access to Justice Commission to the 2025 Pro Bono Service Honor Roll
Education
- Washington & Lee School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2018
- Davidson College, B.A., Political Science, 2013
Admissions
- All Virginia Courts including the Supreme Court of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Affiliations
- Adjunct Professor, University of Richmond School of Law, Writing for Law Clerks (Spring 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Greater Richmond Bar Foundation
- Board Director (2025-2028)
- Lawyerpalooza Co-Chair (2023-2025)
- Virginia Bar Association
- Administrative Law Council (2024-2027)
- Federal Bar Association, Richmond Chapter
- Richmond Bar Association
- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter of Richmond, VA, 2023 Honoree
- Firms in Service
- Virginia Hispanic Foundation
The New Landscape of Interlocutory Appeals in Virginia