Peter B. Ackerman practices in the area of commercial litigation with concentrations in insurance and bankruptcy matters. Mr. Ackerman has broad experience in all aspects of commercial litigation, including lead roles in numerous trials, arbitrations and appeals.

Mr. Ackerman is a 1984 cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law, where he was an editor of the Boston University Law Review, and a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

Representative Matters

Represents insurers in complex asbestos bankruptcy proceedings, as well as in all aspects of complex litigation involving insurance coverage for environmental, asbestos, patent infringement, and other major exposures.
Lead counsel for developer of proposed "privatized" toll road in lawsuit alleging that the project violated the California Constitution as well as state environmental, civil service and contracting laws. Obtained trial judgment in favor of client, which was affirmed on appeal. See Professional Engineers v. Dep't of Transp., 13 Cal. App. 4th 585 (1993).
Lead counsel for public county hospital in fraud and unfair competition suit filed by competing private hospital. Won summary judgment for client, which was affirmed on appeal. See Community Mem. Hosp. v. County of Ventura, 50 Cal. App. 4th 199 (1996).
Defended owner of commercial building against fraud and breach of contract suit brought by tenant. Obtained summary judgment in favor of client and negotiated favorable settlement.
Lead counsel for real estate loan broker in numerous arbitrations and appeals of fraud and breach of contract claims brought by borrowers and lenders.

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
State Bar of California
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Association of Business Trial Lawyers

Admissions

California
U.S. Court of Appeals - First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Central, Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of California

Education

Boston University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1984
University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1981

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2007-present
- Special Counsel, 2005-2006
Coudert Brothers LLP
- Senior Attorney, 2004-2005
Crowell & Moring LLP
- Of Counsel, Senior 1997- 2004
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
- Special Counsel, 1992-1997
- Associate, 1984-1992