OVERVIEW

Peter Morris

Partner

Los Angeles

2029 Century Park East
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90067

F 310-284-3894

Peter Morris represents institutional clients and senior executives in federal prosecutions, including securities, banking and healthcare fraud, criminal antitrust, bribery, money laundering, tax evasion and environmental crimes. Peter’s decades of experience support him in serving as a tenacious investigator and advocate.

OVERVIEW
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
INSIGHTS & EVENTS

OVERVIEW

Peter concentrates his practice on white collar criminal defense, complex business litigation, civil rights litigation, healthcare matters and securities litigation. He has represented institutional clients and senior executives in more than 20 SEC actions and investigations, including claims against one of the largest global semiconductor companies involving alleged options backdating and claims against one of the largest U.S. defense contractors involving alleged improper revenue recognition.

Notably, Peter offers honed skill and experience in the area of monitorships. In January 2023, Hon. Virginia A. Phillips, Chief District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, appointed Peter as the independent corporate compliance monitor for a large apparel company, pursuant to the company’s plea agreement with the U.S. government.

Peter also served on the legal team assisting partner Larry Mackey, the independent corporate compliance monitor for a large U.S. medical device manufacturer and distributor, pursuant to the company’s deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. government.

In addition, Peter previously held a full-time faculty appointment with the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. He also served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Honors

The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Chambers USA, 2009-2011

Southern California Super Lawyers, 2012-2015

EDUCATION

Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude

Cornell University, A.B., cum laude

Bar Admissions

California

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. Supreme Court

Languages

English
Practices

Commercial Litigation

Compliance and Monitorships

Environmental, Social and Governance

Government Litigation

Litigation

White Collar and Investigations

EXPERIENCE

A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented a leading retail electronics store in state civil lawsuit involving kickbacks for inflated invoicing. Negotiated favorable settlement for the company. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented a major defense contractor in several federal criminal investigations involving alleged fraudulent billing. After making detailed presentations to the government, the government terminated the investigations without any criminal charges. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented a major health insurance company in state civil lawsuit involving alleged fraudulent denials of claims. Negotiated favorable settlement for the client. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented a major rocket manufacturer in two federal civil investigations involving alleged fraudulent billing. After making detailed presentations to the government, the government agreed not to bring any civil claims against the client in one matter and settled in the other matter on favorable terms. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented an officer of a major Japanese electronics parts manufacturer in a federal criminal prosecution involving alleged antitrust price-fixing. Negotiated plea agreement with more favorable terms than plea agreements with all other defendants. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world and employees in a federal criminal fraud prosecution involving alleged options backdating. Negotiated immunity for all officers and employees. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented one of the largest U.S. importers of seafood in a federal criminal prosecution involving alleged trans-shipping, evasion of export duties, consumer fraud and mislabeling. Client was facing multiple felony charges and more than 10 years in prison. After litigating with the government for six years, negotiated a plea agreement to a misdemeanor charge and no prison time. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
A Barnes & Thornburg attorney represented plaintiffs in 12 state civil lawsuits involving major insurance companies’, denials of professional disability claims. Obtained jury verdict for one client and negotiated settlements for other clients for several million dollars total. (*This matter occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.)
Represent physician in a federal civil lawsuit involving alleged kickbacks for patient referrals.
Represent physician in federal civil administrative action involving alleged fraudulent billing.
Represent union official in federal criminal investigation of alleged embezzlement and civil lawsuit involving alleged wrongful termination under ERISA.
Represented mother of Black man shot and killed by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Deputy in a civil rights lawsuit. Obtained a $2 million+ judgment.