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About Peter
Biography
Although my life in the law has been as a litigator - I started out trying felonies for the Chicago Public Defender's Office 1967 -'69 and switched to civil litigation when I came to California in 1970 - most of my cases are resolved through negotiation. I have participated in hundreds of successful mediations over the years, and for the last 20 years I have acted as a pro tem Judge for the Superior Courts of several counties, handling both trials and settlement conferences. A few years ago, at the request of the local judges, I completed a week-long instuction course for mediators at Pepperdine Law School, and since then have acted as a mediator from time to time. I taught Civil Procedure at Western State University School of Law and have given state-wide seminars for State Bar CLE credit. I have been a presenter at our local Inns of Court, a frequent lecturer at the Orange County Claims Managers Forum, various local colleges, and State Bar Continuing Legal Education seminars.
I am proud of the fact that for at least the last two decades, the judges and lawyers of my legal community have anonymously awarded me a completely unsolicited "AV" rating (the highest available in both ethics and legal competence) in the Martindale-Hubbel National Legal Directory. Every year starting in 2005 through to the present, I have been designated a "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine, an unsolicited designation based on peer reviews by the judges and fellow lawyers in my legal community. Our statewide legal newspaper "The Daily Law Journal" designated me to be among "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California" in 2005. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI awarded me the Papal Cross of Honour, the highest award available to a member of the laity.
I am married to my wife of 45 years and we have been blessed with two daughters, the older is a lawyer married to an accountant and has two sons, and the younger is a doctor of psychology who is married to a doctor of psychology and has a son and a daughter.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Litigation
100%
59 years | 2,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 56 years
State: California
Acquired: 1970
No misconduct found
Licensed in Illinois for 58 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1967
No misconduct found
Location
Callahan Thompson Sherman & Caudill, LLP
2601 Main Street, Suite 800, Irvine, CA, 92614
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Peter Michael Callahan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Steve | February 01, 2012 | Litigation
One of, if not, the Best!
Pete Callahan has handled cases for me in California since the mid '70's. Everything from small "nuisance" cases to complex litigation. From injury cases with multiple fatalities to construction defect suits; from product liability to professional liability. I have never had an issue with his experti...
Posted by Stephanie | January 31, 2012 | Employment & Labor
A Trustworthy Lawyer
My family has done business with Pete Callahan for as long as I can remember. He has protected our family's interests in legal matters and we have trusted him with our business' legal dealings as well. Peter has handled Employment cases, business mergers, contract disputes and insurance coverage mat...
Peter Michael Callahan's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Peter for decades, both through ABOTA and as an opposing counsel. Peter is the consummate professional. He is smart and very hard working; Peter the highest integrity, morals and ethics. Even when we disagreed on an issue in litigation, he always demonstrated a high level of competence and civility. He was approachable, responsive, resolution-oriented, while representing his client passionately and zealously. He maintains his humanity and judgment while being an excellent litigator."
"I have known Pete for over 25 years both personally and professionally. He is a lawyer I have looked up to and admired as so many in the legal community have. He is without question a true "super lawyer”: a trial lawyer extraordinaire. His record of success and legal acumen are legendary. When I need to refer a client with a complex or high profile litigation, I immediately think of Pete, whom I know will deliver the finest legal services available anywhere."
"Peter is a fine litigator, honest, knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. I have no hesitation in providing this endorsement."
"Pete Callahan is the best of the best. Great attorney and great guy in general. I highly recommend Pete."
"Pete defies many of the usual perceptions of a trial lawyer in that he never just dives in to a case or acts overly aggressive. He is extremely thoughtful, always prepared and constantly innovating. He genuinely cares about his clients and about obtaining great results so he will take the extra time, whether it involves after-hour phone calls or late night meetings. His level of success and experience is unquestionable---he has been winning cases for 40 plus years and is without a doubt one of the finest civil litigators in the state."
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Experience
Honors
2009
Cross of Honour, Pope Benedict XVI
2005
"100 Most Influential Lawyers in California", Daily Law Journal (California statewide)
2005
Top Fifty Orange County Super Lawyers, Los Angeles Magazine
2005
Papal Knighthood, Catholic Church
2004
American Board of Trial Advocates, Ethics, Professionalism and Civility Award
2004
Lawyer of the Year, St. Thomas More Society
1994
Phi Kappa Phi, The Academic Honor Society (Lifetime)
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Partner, Callahan, Thompson, Sherman and Caudill
Associations
2003 - Present
Special Forces AssociationLife Member
2000 - Present
American LegionLife member
1998 - Present
International Association of Defense CounselBoard of Editors, Defense Counsel Journal
1990 - Present
Orange County Legal FoundationBoard of Directors
1976 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesDiplomate
1975 - Present
Orange County Bar Associationmember
1970 - Present
American Bar Asociationmember
2003 - 2009
Chaminade UniversityBoard of Governors
2002 - 2002
California Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaSpecial Counsel
2000 - 2000
National Institute of Forensic StudiesIndustry Advisory Committee
1998 - 1998
Community Incentives for Teaching ExcellenceBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
"Clergy II"
successful mediation
Education
N/A
Loyola Univ SOL
law
N/A
Loras Coll
undergraduate
Speaking Engagements
2007
Masters in Trial
Cross Examination
Publications
2001
The Orange County Lawyer, Vol. 43, No. &
Metatag Cyber Theft
1986
Western State Law Review, Vol. 14, No. 73
Some Thoughts On The Avoidance of Extra-Contractual Damages
Activity
Legal Answers