After more than 45 years practicing as a litigator, outside general counsel, mediator, and arbitrator, Peter now devotes most of his time to serving as a mediator, settlement counsel, and arbitrator while continuing to serve as outside general counsel to a long-time client.
In 2019, Peter founded the Early Dispute Resolution Institute, which now partners with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in its EDR Mediation program (https://www.adr.org/panel/edr-panel/). He authored the original Early Dispute Resolution Protocols, now known as the Guidelines (https://edrinstitute.org/guidelines), teaches the process nationally to litigators, general counsel, and neutrals, and uses it in all his mediations. He also teaches a seminar on early dispute resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Peter has been an active arbitrator since 1986 and a mediator since 1990. He is a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, a panelist on the AAA’s EDR and general mediation panels, and a panelist on the AAA's Large, Complex Case and Franchise Panels, as well as the CPR panel. He was the first-appointed sole United States arbitrator on the Chair/Sole Arbitrator Panel of the EU-based International Distribution Institute, which offered expedited arbitration for international distribution and franchising disputes. He is also a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Apart from the law, he served on Toledo City Council, the Toledo School Board, and the inaugural Ohio Casino Commission, and was President of an ag biotech company. He is now a member of the Shalem College International Board of Governors.
Education
J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan, 1981
B.A., with honors, George Washington University, 1977
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1975-1976
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Toledo Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- ABA Forum on Franchising
- CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals
- Commercial College of Arbitrators, Fellow
- Early Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc., Trustee
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Ohio Chapter
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2026 (Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Securities, and Mediation)
- Best Lawyers, “Toledo Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year,” 2020
- Chambers USA, Franchising: Mainly Franchisee (USA – Nationwide), 2015-2026
- Franchise Times®, recognized as one of the Nation’s top 100 franchise lawyers, 2005-2022; Legal Eagles Hall of Fame
- Ohio Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2009-2011, 2014-2026
- Who’s Who Legal: Franchise, 2014-2018
- Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall Of Fame, 2014
- Ernst and Young Inc. Magazine, “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, 1989
- Toledo Business Journal, “Who’s Who in Toledo Area Law”
- AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell