Peter L. Steinman

Partner
Los Angeles
+1 424-365-6013
[email protected]
Share

Peter L. Steinman

Partner
“Three decades in litigation teaches you this: success comes from knowing your client, anticipating your opponent’s strategy, and executing with discipline and judgment. The goal is always the same: put the client in the best position possible, as efficiently as possible.”

Peter Steinman brings more than 30 years of courtroom experience to complex commercial litigation and related matters. A trusted advocate for companies, executives, creatives, business owners, and athletes alike, he represents clients in cases involving contracts, real estate, business torts, insurance coverage, employment law, and entertainment and sports-related disputes.

With a track record of success in both state and federal courts, Peter has defended and prosecuted cases involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice. He has repeatedly defeated class certification in high-stakes matters and litigated a wide range of disputes, including complex business conflicts, real estate litigation (such as purchase and sale disagreements and tenancy issues), construction claims, and employment lawsuits involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Notably, he has successfully resolved multimilliondollar employment matters for Fortune 500 companies.

Within the entertainment sector, Peter has represented major studios and production entities in cases involving artist-management fraud, and he has advised sports franchise owners and athletes on conflicts involving agents, territorial rights, and commercial claims. His additional work in advertising and digital media reflects the depth and versatility of his practice.

Clients turn to Peter for clearheaded guidance on complex litigation and appeals. His approach is as strategic as it is practical—always geared toward protecting his clients’ reputations, preserving business value, and positioning them for what’s next.

View More

Representative Matters

  • Successfully defended a leading credit card processor in multiple “bet-the-company” class actions alleging usury, violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), fraud, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, and false advertising. Obtained dismissal of the usury class claims at the pleading stage by establishing that a class-action waiver was enforceable and neither procedurally nor substantively unconscionable, resulting in an order striking the class allegations and reducing a multi-million-dollar exposure to an $18,000 claim. The ruling was affirmed on appeal, and the individual plaintiff settled for a waiver of appellate costs. Favorably resolved the CIPA action for pennies on the dollar by demonstrating that individual issues predominated over common ones, rendering class status improper.
  • Defeated successive class-certification motions in a hotly contested federal class action involving fraud, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims. Ultimately reduced a case plaintiffs’ counsel valued at $15 million with over 500,000 putative class members to a two-plaintiff case worth under $100.
  • Represented the owner of a multi-million-dollar ocean-view home in California in a complex dispute with a family member who had encumbered the property through a poorly negotiated settlement agreement in related family and palimony actions. Rescued the client from the terms of that agreement—including an unfavorable loan in default—and, after the family member breached the agreement and stalled the sale of the residence for more than a year, successfully persuaded the San Diego Superior Court to enter judgment under Code of Civil Procedure § 664.6. The court also issued cease-and-desist and sanctions orders to prevent further interference, ultimately leading to the family member’s purchase of the client’s interest in the home and resolution of a seemingly hopeless case.
  • Obtained a settlement exceeding $600,000 in a complex construction-defect matter, representing a prominent professional football player against a builder/developer and more than 20 subcontractors.
  • Successfully defended a major motion picture studio in a $20 million profit-participation and fraud action brought by a television series co-creator, defeating all claims and obtaining a $1.5 million award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
  • Obtained injunctive relief on behalf of the owners of an assisted living facility against a management company that breached its obligations to pay monthly management fees, reimburse lease payments of approximately $86,000 per month, and preserve the owners’ license to operate the facility. As a result of our efforts, the owners regained control and possession of the facility, which had been jeopardized by the management company’s negligence.
  • Secured summary judgment for an insurance carrier in a complex coverage dispute arising from the carrier’s denial of coverage based on specific-matter exclusions and policy provisions. The insured—a luxury high-rise co-op facing five underlying lawsuits (four filed by lending banks and one derivative action)—mounted a cross-motion for summary judgment and engaged in extensive discovery on both coasts. Our client prevailed on every discovery motion and ultimately avoided eight-figure exposure with a winning motion supported by a 68-page statement of undisputed facts.
  • Successfully represented a prominent National Hockey League player in the first arbitration under the former NHL collective bargaining agreement. The player was sued by his former agent for breach of contract and fraud based on a standardized contract he did not understand. After vacating a default judgment, successfully moved for binding arbitration and obtained a favorable resolution for the client.
  • Successfully defended the landlord/owner of a luxury apartment building against successive multi-million-dollar tenant actions alleging habitability issues, toxic exposure (including asbestos and mold), rent-control and abatement violations, retaliation, emotional distress, and punitive and statutory claims. Settled the tenant actions for pennies on the dollar, with all amounts covered by insurance.
  • Successfully represented a brother and sister in a hotly contested probate matter, obtaining favorable settlement that included removal of their step-mother as trustee of the family trust and obtaining significant monetary compensation and distribution of real property for the clients.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central and Southern Districts of California and District of Columbia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Professional Affiliations
  • Association of Trial Lawyers
  • Century City Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Sports Lawyers Association
Community Involvement
  • Del Rey American Little League
  • AYSO
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
  • University of Maryland, B.S.

Peter L. Steinman

Partner
Los Angeles
+1 424-365-6013
[email protected]
“Three decades in litigation teaches you this: success comes from knowing your client, anticipating your opponent’s strategy, and executing with discipline and judgment. The goal is always the same: put the client in the best position possible, as efficiently as possible.”
Overview

Peter Steinman brings more than 30 years of courtroom experience to complex commercial litigation and related matters. A trusted advocate for companies, executives, creatives, business owners, and athletes alike, he represents clients in cases involving contracts, real estate, business torts, insurance coverage, employment law, and entertainment and sports-related disputes.

With a track record of success in both state and federal courts, Peter has defended and prosecuted cases involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice. He has repeatedly defeated class certification in high-stakes matters and litigated a wide range of disputes, including complex business conflicts, real estate litigation (such as purchase and sale disagreements and tenancy issues), construction claims, and employment lawsuits involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Notably, he has successfully resolved multimilliondollar employment matters for Fortune 500 companies.

Within the entertainment sector, Peter has represented major studios and production entities in cases involving artist-management fraud, and he has advised sports franchise owners and athletes on conflicts involving agents, territorial rights, and commercial claims. His additional work in advertising and digital media reflects the depth and versatility of his practice.

Clients turn to Peter for clearheaded guidance on complex litigation and appeals. His approach is as strategic as it is practical—always geared toward protecting his clients’ reputations, preserving business value, and positioning them for what’s next.

Practice Area

Advertising & Digital Media

Entertainment

Sports

Class Action & Complex Litigation

Commercial & Business Litigation

Representative Matters

  • Successfully defended a leading credit card processor in multiple “bet-the-company” class actions alleging usury, violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), fraud, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, and false advertising. Obtained dismissal of the usury class claims at the pleading stage by establishing that a class-action waiver was enforceable and neither procedurally nor substantively unconscionable, resulting in an order striking the class allegations and reducing a multi-million-dollar exposure to an $18,000 claim. The ruling was affirmed on appeal, and the individual plaintiff settled for a waiver of appellate costs. Favorably resolved the CIPA action for pennies on the dollar by demonstrating that individual issues predominated over common ones, rendering class status improper.
  • Defeated successive class-certification motions in a hotly contested federal class action involving fraud, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims. Ultimately reduced a case plaintiffs’ counsel valued at $15 million with over 500,000 putative class members to a two-plaintiff case worth under $100.
  • Represented the owner of a multi-million-dollar ocean-view home in California in a complex dispute with a family member who had encumbered the property through a poorly negotiated settlement agreement in related family and palimony actions. Rescued the client from the terms of that agreement—including an unfavorable loan in default—and, after the family member breached the agreement and stalled the sale of the residence for more than a year, successfully persuaded the San Diego Superior Court to enter judgment under Code of Civil Procedure § 664.6. The court also issued cease-and-desist and sanctions orders to prevent further interference, ultimately leading to the family member’s purchase of the client’s interest in the home and resolution of a seemingly hopeless case.
  • Obtained a settlement exceeding $600,000 in a complex construction-defect matter, representing a prominent professional football player against a builder/developer and more than 20 subcontractors.
  • Successfully defended a major motion picture studio in a $20 million profit-participation and fraud action brought by a television series co-creator, defeating all claims and obtaining a $1.5 million award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
  • Obtained injunctive relief on behalf of the owners of an assisted living facility against a management company that breached its obligations to pay monthly management fees, reimburse lease payments of approximately $86,000 per month, and preserve the owners’ license to operate the facility. As a result of our efforts, the owners regained control and possession of the facility, which had been jeopardized by the management company’s negligence.
  • Secured summary judgment for an insurance carrier in a complex coverage dispute arising from the carrier’s denial of coverage based on specific-matter exclusions and policy provisions. The insured—a luxury high-rise co-op facing five underlying lawsuits (four filed by lending banks and one derivative action)—mounted a cross-motion for summary judgment and engaged in extensive discovery on both coasts. Our client prevailed on every discovery motion and ultimately avoided eight-figure exposure with a winning motion supported by a 68-page statement of undisputed facts.
  • Successfully represented a prominent National Hockey League player in the first arbitration under the former NHL collective bargaining agreement. The player was sued by his former agent for breach of contract and fraud based on a standardized contract he did not understand. After vacating a default judgment, successfully moved for binding arbitration and obtained a favorable resolution for the client.
  • Successfully defended the landlord/owner of a luxury apartment building against successive multi-million-dollar tenant actions alleging habitability issues, toxic exposure (including asbestos and mold), rent-control and abatement violations, retaliation, emotional distress, and punitive and statutory claims. Settled the tenant actions for pennies on the dollar, with all amounts covered by insurance.
  • Successfully represented a brother and sister in a hotly contested probate matter, obtaining favorable settlement that included removal of their step-mother as trustee of the family trust and obtaining significant monetary compensation and distribution of real property for the clients.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central and Southern Districts of California and District of Columbia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Professional Affiliations
  • Association of Trial Lawyers
  • Century City Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Sports Lawyers Association
Community Involvement
  • Del Rey American Little League
  • AYSO
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
  • University of Maryland, B.S.