Peter M. Callahan

Peter M. Callahan

Partner - Retired

Mr. Callahan was born, raised, educated and married in Chicago and remains a diehard fan of “Da Bears”, although his two daughters (the elder an attorney, the younger a Doctor of Psychology) were born in California. His specialty over the last half century (plus) of his legal career has always been in all aspects of litigation, and he has tried over 250 cases to verdict in several different states and federal districts. He has been admitted to the United States Supreme Court since 19 71. The state-wide Daily Law Journal named him as among the 100 (out of 36,000) most influential lawyers in California. Although he enjoys winning in court, and consistently does so, he takes great satisfaction in counseling his clients such that they avoid the courtroom while still obtaining their desired objectives more quickly and with less financial and emotional expense. Mr. Callahan has been happily and fortunately married to his primary school sweetheart for the same half century (plus) that he has been practicing law, and he and his wife both greatly enjoy entertaining their four grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Bay Area. He is actively involved in veteran’s affairs as well as philanthropic and church activities.

Practice Areas
General Civil Practice, Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, Personal Injury, Employment/Labor Law, Insurance Bad Faith, Intellectual Property. Approximately 250 cases tried to verdict.

EDUCATION

J.D., Loyola School of Law
B.A., Loras College
M.A. in Humanities (History), California State University,
ABT Strans Institute For Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School Of Law.

ADMISSIONS

California State Bar, 1969; Illinois State Bar, 1967; United States District Court; United States Supreme Court, 1971.

NOTABLE EXPERIENCE & SETTLEMENTS

Graduated Cum Laude, Loras College (Distinguished Alumni Award 2014); graduated with Honors, Loyola School of Law; Life Member, The Academic Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi; St. Thomas More Society “Lawyer of the Year” 2004, selected by peers as one of “Fifty Orange County Super Lawyers” Los Angeles Magazine, February 2004 and every year since, a designation given to one-half of one percent of Orange County Lawyers; Ethics, Civility and Professionalism Award, 2004, ABOTA; honored as among the 100 (out of 36,000) most influential Lawyers in California (2005) by the Daily Law Journal; Papal Knighthood (EKHSJ) 2005; awarded the Cross of Honour (the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity) by Pope Benedict XVI (2009).

Adjunct Professor, Western State University College of Law (Civil Procedure); Presenter, Inns of Court; frequent lecturer at Orange County Claims Managers Forum, various local colleges, Continuing Education of the Bar classes, and State Bar of California seminars on Insurance Law and Trial Tactics; Presenter, ABOTA “Masters in Trial.”

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

“Some Thoughts on the Avoidance of Extra-Contractual Damages,” Western State University Law Review, Vol. 14, No. 73, 1986; “Metatag Cybertheft”, The Orange County Lawyer, Vol. 43, No. 7 (July 2001).

ASSOCIATIONS

Diplomate rank, American Board of Trial Advocates since 1976; American Bar Association; Orange County and San Francisco Bar Association; Southern California Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute; International Association of Defense Counsel (Board of Editors, Defense Counsel Journal); Industry Advisory Committee of the National Institute of Forensic Studies; Special Counsel, California Paralyzed Veterans of America; Founding Board of Directors, St. Thomas More Society (Lawyer of the year, 2007); National Wildlife Federation; Sierra Club; The Heritage Foundation; Hillsdale College Benefactor; Wounded Warrior Project; Disabled American Veterans (Commanders Club); Smile Train (Platinum member); Project Hope; Amnesty International; Board of Governors, The Irish American Partnership; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Irish Northern Aid Committee; Habitat for Humanity (Carpenter’s Club); Board of Directors, Community Incentives for Teaching Excellence; Board of Directors, Orange County Legal Foundation; Former Board of Governors, Chaminade University; Board of Directors, JESAM (Jesuits of Africa and Madagascar Ministries); President, Wells of Life (Uganda water project); Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (Life Member), Rotary Club International; Special Forces Association (Life Member).