Peter K. Stris

Peter Stris is a founding partner of Stris & Maher. He is one of the most prominent business litigators of his generation. He serves as a lead strategist and presenter in must-win trials, landmark appeals, and rapid media-response campaigns.

Chambers USA has identified Peter as a leading advocate in multiple nationwide categories. Reuters has recognized him as one of the nation’s most influential lawyers before the United States Supreme Court, where he has argued 10 cases. And the Daily Journal has repeatedly named him to its annual list of the “Top 100 California Lawyers.”

Peter represents a wide range of clients including companies, governmental entities, non-profits, investors, entrepreneurs, and executives. He is also regularly hired by other attorneys to play a leading role in their most important and difficult cases.

Supreme Court and Appellate Practice

Peter represents clients in state and federal appellate courts nationwide, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He is an elected fellow of the American and California Academies of Appellate Lawyers. And his victories in “key matters” frequently make the National Law Journal’s exclusive Appellate Hot List (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021).

From 2015 to 2021, Peter was one of just 20 private-sector attorneys to argue six or more cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, achieving victories in cases interpreting the Copyright Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and ERISA. During that period, Peter also handled major appeals before appellate courts throughout America, with highlights including his revival of multibillion-dollar environmental claims against Volkswagen and reversal of dismissals leading to collected recoveries of $24 million for investors in one case and over $22 million for pensioners in another.

Trial Practice

Peter is an accomplished trial lawyer who represents both plaintiffs and defendants. “Over his 20-year career, he has successfully first-chaired a wide variety of bet-the-farm business cases to verdict or judgment” (LA Business Journal). He is consistently recognized as one of the leading courtroom lawyers in California (Benchmark Litigation).

Recently, Peter won a multi-phase jury and bench trial that the Daily Journal named a Top 20 Defense Verdict of 2021. The plaintiff, represented by a respected AmLaw firm, had sought $180 million for Lanham Act false advertising.

Peter is currently serving as lead counsel in several noteworthy cases preparing for trial in courtrooms throughout America.

Strategic Litigation

Peter is often retained when an effective public communications strategy is critical. He is adept at managing evolving situations where messaging must be issued in real time. For example, Peter ran a notable litigation communications campaign that recovered his client’s life rights from the National Enquirer, allowing her to speak publicly about a 10-month relationship with President Donald Trump.

Peter is known for his ability to serve as the public face of a communications strategy. He has personally appeared on numerous broadcast outlets including morning talk shows (e.g., Good Morning America, The Today Show), cable news (e.g., Anderson Cooper 360, The Rachel Maddow Show), as well as public radio and television (e.g., All Things Considered, Nightly Business Report). His work is regularly featured in national print media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

Personal

Peter received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, where, together with Elizabeth Brannen, he won the National Debating Championship. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Alice and two young children.