Peter Garchie is a partner in the San Diego office of Lewis Brisbois, which he joined in 1984, and a vice-chair of the Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Practice. Mr. Garchie is an accomplished trial attorney, having tried more than 50 jury cases to verdict, many of which are in the areas of professional liability, products liability, environmental/toxic torts litigation, and commercial litigation (trade secret, unfair competition, and intellectual property). His practice includes the direct representation of international industrial companies, chemical companies, insurance companies, financial companies, and technology growth companies in state court, federal court, national multi-district coordinated litigation and before state regulatory agencies.

He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is active in the trial of substantial exposure cases on a national level as well as in the supervision and coordination of class actions and mass torts claims.

Legal Experience: Representative Jury Verdicts of Cases Tried by Mr. Garchie

EMPLOYMENT/WRONGFUL TERMINATION LITIGATION:

  • 2004 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Electronics Corporation in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, Following Jury Trial Based on Discrimination, American Disability Act Violations and $2.25 Million Demand
  • 1992 Verdict of $250,000, After Final Demand of $2.5 Million Demand, on Behalf of Retail Grocery Chain, Los Angeles Superior Court, Following Jury Trial Based on Disability Discrimination

 

TOXIC TORT/ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION:

  • 2019 Jury Verdict For Percentage Allocation in California Central District Federal Court in connection with defense of general contractor sued by Los Angeles tank terminal company for spill into Los Angeles Harbor
  • 2015 Defense Verdict/Mistrial on behalf of Property Owners/Developers sued for bodily injury/brain damage arising from chemical contamination of mobile home park in Los Angeles Superior Court
  • 2014 Defense Verdict on behalf of General Contractor Accused of Acid Waste Line Toxic Exposure to Six University Cancer Researchers in the San Diego Superior Court
  • 2012 Defense Verdict for Chemical Company Supplier of Diacetyl after Four Month Trial and Plaintiff Demand for $27 Million
  • 2010 Jury Verdict For Percentage Allocation To Insulation Company in Wrongful Death Mesothelioma Trial in San Francisco Superior Court
  • 1998 Defense Verdict in Asbestos/Chemical Exposure Action, on Behalf of Restoration Company, San Diego Superior Court, Following Trial based on Toxic Chemical Exposure, Asbestos and Emotional Distress
  • 1993 Defense Verdict Against Industrial Company in Jury Trial Indemnity Action Based on Industrial Contamination in the Southern District of California, Federal Court

 

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY LITIGATION:

  • 2019 Jury Defense Verdict in insurance agent professional liability elder abuse  action alleging financial mismanagement in Sonoma Superior Court.
  • 2011 Defense Verdict in Legal Malpractice Action Alleging Mishandling of Anti-Slapp Motion and Underlying Whistleblower Lawsuit, San Diego Superior Court
  • 2010 Verdict in Insurance Agent Professional Negligence Case Where Final Demand was $900,000 and Verdict was $156,000, San Diego Superior Court
  • 2010 Verdict in Financial Planner Professional Negligence Case Alleging Elder Abuse and Mishandling of Annuities Where Jury Demand was $360,000 and Verdict was $52,000, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Torrance Division.
  • 2010 Jury Verdict in Legal Malpractice Action Offset By 40% Contributory Negligence By Plaintiff and Client Recovery of Outstanding Legal Fees, San Diego Superior Court
  • 2009 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Accountant in Admitted Negligence Action, Santa Barbara Superior Court
  • 1997 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Private Security Company, San Diego Superior Court Central Division, Following Jury Trial Based on Allegations of Wrongful Arrest, Undue Force, Assault and Battery
  • 1996 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Car Dealership, San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, Following Jury Trial Based on Allegations of Wrongful Repossession, Sexual Assault and Battery
  • 1994 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Private Law Firm in Legal Malpractice Action, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division, Following Jury Trial Based on Negligence, Fraud, Punitive Damages and Failure to Settle Underlying Action

 

CATASTROPHIC INJURY LITIGATION:

  • 2018 Jury Defense Verdict  in permanent disability personal injury action relating to defense of labor contractor in construction site accident, San Diego Superior Court
  • 2011 Net Verdict of $1.4 Million After Final Demand of $3 Million on Behalf of Security Guard, San Diego Superior Court, Following Jury Trial Based on Wrongful Death Shooting Incident
  • 2009 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital Security Company in Wrongful Death Action of 17 year old Patient, Orange County Superior Court
  • 2002 Plaintiff Verdict in Amount of $800,000 Against Individual Client After Jury Demand of $14 Million In Husband and Wife Double Brain Damage Injury Action, Northern Division, San Diego Superior Court
  • 1994 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Car Dealership Following Permanent Disability By Elderly Patron Following Trip and Fall, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division
  • 1993 Plaintiff Verdict In Amount of $1.1 Million After Final Demand of $2.2 Million, Tried for Trucking Company After Pedestrian Wrongful Death Accident, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division
  • 1993 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Client Retail Grocery Store Chain in Permanent Disability Action by Plaintiff Fireman Following Slip and Fall, Orange County Superior Court, Central Division

 

PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION:

  • 2005 Defense Verdict in Favor of Tool and Equipment Distributor Following Jury Trial Based on Manufacturing Design Defect and Final $2 Million Dollar Demand for Shattered Spine from ATV Accident, San Diego Superior Court
  • 1999 Verdict in Amount of $750,000 Against Client Propane Tank Manufacture in Manufacturing Design Action Following Final Demand of $2.4 Million and Explosion Causing Serious Burns and Permanent Disfigurement, San Bernardino Superior Court
  • 1996 Verdict in Amount of $225,000 Against Client Barbecue Manufacturer in Propane Manufacturing Defect Action Following Final Demand of $1.7 Million and Explosion Causing Serious Burns and Permanent Disfigurement, San Diego Superior Court , Central Division
  • 1995 Defense Verdict for Client Bus Company in Jury Trial Based on Seat Shearing From Support Structure, Imperial County Superior Court
  • 1994 Verdict In Favor of Auto Manufacturer Following Trial Based on Breach of Warranty, San Diego Superior Court, East County Division
  • 1993 Defense Verdict In Favor of Auto Manufacturer Following Trial Based on Breach of Warranty, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division
  • 1991 Defense Verdict for Client Bus Company in Trial Based on Defective Design of Platform, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division

 

REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION:

  • 2015 Verdict in Amount of $760,000 Against Farming Company that Set Fire to Historic Bridge Valued at $1.4 million. El Centro Superior Court
  • 1986 Defense Verdict on Behalf of Home Owner Association Following Trial Based on Individual Homeowner Construction Defect Claims, San Diego Superior Court, Northern Division

 

INSURANCE/BUSINESS CONTRACT LITIGATION:

  • 1997 Jury Verdict Against Insurance Company in Amount of $225,000 Following Final Demand of $750,000 following Jury Trial Based Upon Negligence, Fraud, Bad Faith and Wrongful Denial of Duty to Defend In Underlying Construction Defect Action, San Diego Superior Court, Central Division
  • 1983 Plaintiff Verdict By District Court Judge in Favor of Commercial Developer in United States Bankruptcy Court, United States, Eastern District, Following Allegations of Fraud and Conversion

Professional Presentations

  • The Crisis of Financial Elder Abuse and Defense of Professional Cases;  LBBS Webinar Presentation, 2020
  • Real Estate Professional Liability Presentations: Advertising Liability According to the California Department of Real Estate and Implicit Discrimination in Buyer Interest Letters:  Private Presentations for National Real Estate Client, 2020
  • California Fair Claims Practices, Insurer Certification Instructor 2001-2010 (Zurich North American Insurance Company, Insurance Company of Hanover, St. Paul Travelers Insurance Company, Gulf Insurance Company, Network Adjusters, AIG Private Client Group, Riverstone, Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers)
  • “A National Survey of Punitive Damage Decisions” 2005: St. Paul Travelers Insurance Company, New York, New York
  • “The Art and Science of Successful Subrogation,” Allstate Insurance Company National Conference 1993, Rancho Bernardo, California
  • “National Class Action Issues and Strategies,” Target Capital National Conference 2001, Avon, Connecticut
  • “Risk Management for Product Warranty Claims,” Kia Motors, National Retail Dealer Conference 1999, Laguna Niguel, California
  • “Mold and Toxic Tort Defense Strategies”: Orange County Bar Association 1997, Irvine, California, Environmental Claim Mangers National Conference 1999, St. Petersburg, Florida
  • “A National Survey of the Absolute Pollution Exclusion: Application And Ramifications, “American Safety Insurance Company, 2006, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Ethical Jeopardy in Complex Litigation” 2010 Environmental and Emerging Tort Claim Manager Association Annual Meeting, Captiva, Florida
  • “Settling Cases with Diminishing Limits and Recent Issues In Attorney/Accountant Malpractice Cases” 2010 Mutual Marine Office, New York, New York
  • “Who Wants to Be a $100- Millionaire”: Lessons Learned From the Largest Verdicts From Emerging Exposures, 2010 Torus Insurance Company, Bermuda
  • “Coming Back Home to Hinkley, CA and the Ghosts of Erin Brockovich” 2011 Environmental and Emerging Tort Claim Manager Association Annual Meeting, Captiva Island, Florida
  • “Selected 2011 Topics in the Areas of Toxic Torts, Pollution, Products and Asbestos Litigation” 2012 Zurich Insurance Company, Schaumberg, Illinois
  • “Warnings, State of the Art & Words of Wisdom” 2012 Chartis Insurance Company, Jersey City, New Jersey
  • "Looking Ahead at 2015: Toxic Tort and Environmental Legal Developments” ACE USA- Southeast Region Producer Advisory Board Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia
  • "Ethical and Technological Jeopardy in Complex Professional Liability Cases" 2016 PLUS (Professional Liability Underwriters Society) Mid-Year Conference, Chicago, Illinois 

Admissions

  • State Bar Admissions
    • California
  • State Appellate Courts
    • California Courts of Appeal
  • United States District Courts
    • United States District Court for the Central District of California
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of California
  • United States Courts of Appeals
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • Pro Hac Vice Admissions
    • Washington
    • Oregon
    • Hawaii
    • Colorado
    • Ohio
    • Indiana
    • Wisconsin
    • Arizona
    • Nevada

Admissions

California State Courts

United States District Courts of California
  • Southern District
  • Central District
  • Northern District
  • Eastern District

United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal

Pro Hac Admissions in various Foreign Jurisdictions

Associations

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Awards & Honors

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2023 — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • 2020: University of Southern California Law School Guest Lecturer:  Delivering Effective Closing Arguments in Judge and Jury Trials
  • 2013: One of Southern California’s Top Attorneys: Rated By The Los Angeles Times
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating (highest rating for ethics and professionalism)
  • 2012: Los Angeles/San Francisco Daily Journal Award for Top Ten California Defense Jury Verdicts: Velasquez v. Centrome

Education

University of California, Davis

Juris Doctor, 1982

University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Arts, 1979 

arrow Back to Attorneys