Louis D. Peterson

• Co-counsel in the defense of JPMorgan Chase and related entities—including former affiliates of Washington Mutual Bank—in federal court litigation related to residential mortgage backed securities.
• Lead counsel in the defense of the University of Washington in the lawsuit brought by its former head football coach, Rick Neuheisel, after he was fired by the University. Following a six-week jury trial, this case was resolved favorably for our client. Of Lou's cross-examination of Neuheisel, one columnist wrote, "Facing Peterson in a courtroom is probably a lot like standing on a beach in a hurricane while wearing hip waders. His questions were a jackhammer blast...." Les Carpenter, Seattle Times, February 15, 2005.
• Lead counsel in the defense of Mitsubishi Corporation in an Alaska antitrust class action arising out of the Bristol Bay salmon industry. Plaintiffs alleged compensatory and punitive damages totaling $975 million; we negotiated a favorable settlement prior to trial.
• Lead counsel for Weyerhaeuser Company in trial and appellate proceedings in Atlanta, Georgia. Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $850 million arising out of the carve-out of Weyerhaeuser's private label diaper division into a publicly-held company. After a several week trial, the bankruptcy court entered a $470 million judgment for plaintiff. Following review by the federal district court, this judgment was reversed, and a judgment dismissing all claims was entered in favor of Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser's victory was affirmed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Lead counsel on behalf of plaintiff Horizon Air in a trademark infringement lawsuit filed against Frontier Horizon Airlines. Following federal court hearings, we obtained preliminary injunctive relief against Frontier.
• Co-counsel in the defense of The New England Mutual Life Insurance Company and Copley Real Estate Advisors in lawsuits brought by the Washington State Investment Board, which asserted claims totaling $1.2 billion for securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duties. We resolved this matter before trial.
• Represents securities firms -- including Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, CIBC Oppenheimer, and Edward D. Jones -- in a wide variety of securities cases before state and federal courts and before arbitration tribunals.
• Represents other law firms in a range of complex and highly sensitive matters.
• Has served as a mediator or arbitrator in hundreds of cases.

• Featured in a Cover Story, "The Player," by Washington Law & Politics, Summer 2007
• Author, "TIE ONE FOR THE GIPPER . . . and Other Failed Cheers," Washington State Bar News, April 2007
• Author, "A Mediator's Observations," Washington State Bar News, February 2002
• Frequent presenter at seminars attended by lawyers on various topics, including evidentiary rules, trial strategy, mediation and arbitration

• King County Bar Association (Judicial Conferencing Committee, 1992 - 2001, Co-Chair, 2000 - 2001; Judicial Screening Committee, 1988 - 1993, Chair, 1990 - 1992; Young Lawyers Section, Judicial Selection and Discipline Committee, 1977 - 1981, Legislation Committee, 1975 - 1977, Chair, 1976 - 1977)
• Washington State Bar Association (Litigation Section) Judicial Recommendations Committee, 1989 - 1992
• American Bar Association (Antitrust, Litigation, and Business Law Sections)
• ADR Roundtable, Founding Member
• Broadmoor Golf Club, Board of Trustees, 2004 - 2007
• Lakeside School, Board of Trustees, 1995 - 2004
• Woodland Park Zoological Society, Board of Directors, 1993 - 1997
• Seattle International Music Festival, Board of Directors, 1992 - 1996
• Discovery Park Citizens Advisory Committee, Treasurer, 1974 - 1978

• Repeatedly recognized by The Best Lawyers in America^® in the fields of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, and Litigation - Securities, most recently for 2025.
• Repeatedly recognized as a Super Lawyer by Washington Super Lawyers, most recently in 2024.
  Ranked First in the year 2000
  Ranked in the Top Ten in years 2000 - 2005, 2007, and 2009 - 2017
  Repeatedly Ranked in the Top 100, most recently in 2020.
• Named Lawyer of the Year in the area of Litigation - Intellectual Property by Best Lawyers in America^®, 2017.
• Named 2015 Seattle Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year.
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers.
• A/V Preeminent Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell.

• J.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, 1974
  Law clerk to The Honorable Morell Sharp, United States District Court,
  Seattle, 1974 - 1975
• A.B., Harvard College, magna cum laude, 1971
  Phi Beta Kappa

I am a classically trained pianist, but these days I am more likely to play (for my own amusement) Cole Porter than Rachmaninoff. I dabble in foreign languages. My golf game needs work.