Peter E. Davids
Associate

Contact

(T) +1.213.243.2368
(F) +1.213.243.2539

Education

  • Stanford University (J.D. 2003); University of California, Berkeley (M.A. 1987; B.A. 1985)

Bar Admissions

  • California

Clerkships

  • Judicial Clerk to Hon. A. Wallace Tashima, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (2003-2004)

Peter Davids has briefed numerous civil and criminal appeals before federal and state appellate courts and has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit and the California Court of Appeal. He also has written briefs at the trial court level resulting in among other wins the dismissal on summary judgment of a $5 billion Medicaid fraud action brought under the federal False Claims Act.

Most recently, Peter successfully petitioned for review and wrote the winning briefs on the merits in Diaz v. Carcamo, 51 Cal. 4th 1148 (2011), a decision with potentially nationwide importance because it addresses the scope of an employer's liability for negligently hiring an unfit employee. In a unanimous opinion, the California Supreme Court reversed the judgment against Jones Day's client and held that if an employer admits respondeat superior liability for an employee's conduct, the plaintiff may not pursue alternate direct theories of liability against the employer such as negligent hiring or negligent entrustment.

Peter also maintains an active pro bono practice, having represented immigration clients in administrative review proceedings before the Ninth Circuit, as well as representing prisoners in habeas corpus appeals before federal and state courts of appeal.


Areas of Focus

Honors & Distinctions

  • Named a Northern California "rising star" in the field of appellate litigation by Super Lawyers magazine in 2009 and 2010
Peter Davids