Bio


Peter grew up with dinner-table conversations about medicine. His dad was a family practice physician and his mom an ICU nurse. His first job was working in the cafeteria at a local hospital. He then worked at local hospitals in various non-clinical positions through college and for a gap year before law school. When he began his legal education, Peter knew he wanted to work with medical providers as a lawyer. He joined Keating Jones Hughes in September 2007, fresh out of law school, and has remained with the firm continuously since then.

In that time, Peter has worked on a wide variety of medical malpractice cases, representing both institutional clients as well as individual practitioners. He finds the intersection of the law and medicine fascinating, and he loves that his cases provide new challenges and opportunities to learn every day. One of his strengths is his compassion and connection with his clients, helping guide them through the extended litigation process that can be both personally and professionally challenging. This skill also translates well to the courtroom, where he is an effective advocate for his clients and persuasive communicator to juries.

Peter has experience defending medical providers in a variety of situations. He has represented physicians and hospitals in cases ranging from common medical liability cases to complex product liability claims involving medical device manufacturers. He has also represented numerous providers and institutions in cases involving alleged inappropriate touching and sexual battery. Peter’s experience as a trial lawyer has led to him being invited to speak on medical-legal topics in Oregon, Washington and California.

In addition to his work on medical cases, Peter frequently represents other attorneys in legal malpractice cases. He has represented Oregon lawyers in state and federal court, defending a variety of claims arising under everything from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to negligence claims arising out of complex securities cases. Working with other lawyers is rewarding, and Peter enjoys working with his peers to defend their efforts in representing their clients.

When he is not at work, you will most likely find Peter spending time with his wife and three young children, chasing adventure through travel abroad or relaxing and playing in his own back yard.

Recent Presentations

  • “Preparation is Key” – Introduction to Spring 2020 issue of The Physicians Report magazine. March 2020
  • Your Role in a Harassment-Free Workplace. August 2019 (Hospital client, Oregon)
  • Panel Presentation: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Anti-SLAPP Motions. August 2019 (PLF Defense Panel Conference, Oregon)
  • Mandatory Reporting of Elder, Domestic and Child Abuse: Reporting Requirements for Healthcare Providers. July 2018 (Large medical group, Washington)
  • Out of the Shadows and Into the Courtroom: An individual and Organizational Response to Sexual Harassment Allegations. April 2018 (Medical malpractice risk management conference, Washington).
  • Sexual Abuse & Sexual Harassment in the Medical Field: Perspectives from a Malpractice Defense Attorney. March 2018 (Large orthopedic group, Washington).

Professional Organizations

  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
  • Multnomah County Bar Association

 

Practice Groups


Education


  • Gonzaga University School of Law – J.D., 2007
  • Texas Christian University – B.S., Political Science, 2003

Bar / Court Admissions


  • U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Oregon State Bar
  • Washington State Bar