Peter Biersteker is a trial lawyer with significant experience, particularly in product liability cases. He also represents clients before the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and in congressional investigations.
Peter, for example, has represented Mattel, since 2007, in connection with the adoption and implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), other legislative and regulatory reform efforts around the world, and in class action litigation arising out of the company's 2007 and 2013 recalls. He also has long been lead trial counsel for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in significant cases, including an arbitration under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with various states and territories in which, by a combination of settlement and awards on the merits, the company obtained over $1.3 billion; United States v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al., the civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act claim brought by the United States against the tobacco industry; and class actions. He also has been lead trial counsel in individual tobacco products liability jury trials and for years has counseled clients in matters before the CPSC or Congress.
Experience
Speaking Engagements
- May 6, 2014
Executive Roundtable Series: New Frontiers in Health Care and Life Sciences; A Look at the Legal Implication - May 19, 2011
Jones Day MCLE University - Chicago - September 16, 2010
Executive Roundtable Series: Targeting Consumer Products: Developments in Regulation and Litigation - October 22, 2009
Crisis Management and Ethics: The Two (al)most Important Responsibilities of In-House Counsel - October 2008
The Art of Direct Examination, Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia - September 2008
Keynote Speaker, The Contrast Between Global Marketplace Legislation and Proposed Canadian Legislation on Product Safety, Product Recalls Conference - January 2008
Panelist along with representative of the Chinese Embassy, Supply Chain Risks in China, Cleveland Council for World Affairs
- Harvard University (J.D. 1981; A.B. 1977); London School of Economics (M.Sc. 1978)
- District of Columbia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and District of Columbia Circuits
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Recognized in:
The Legal 500 United States
Best Lawyers: 2017 Washington DC Defense Lawyer of the Year for products liability
Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for products liability and/or mass torts