White Collar, Compliance and Investigations Co-Chair
Peter Morris is a tenacious advocate for institutional clients and senior executives in federal prosecutions. Clients turn to Peter for counsel when facing allegations of securities, banking and healthcare fraud; criminal antitrust; bribery; money laundering; tax evasion; and environmental crimes.
Peter advises clients on white collar criminal defense, complex business litigation, civil rights litigation, healthcare matters and securities litigation. Representing clients in over 20 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) actions and investigations across his career, Peter handles highly visible and difficult matters. For example, Peter resolved allegations of options backdating against one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. He also handled claims made against one of the largest U.S. defense contractors involving alleged improper revenue recognition.
Peter also has significant experience in the area of monitorships. He currently serves as the independent corporate compliance monitor for a large apparel company, pursuant to the company’s plea agreement with the U.S. government. This comes at the heels of serving as a key member of a monitorship team for a large U.S. medical device manufacturer and distributor, pursuant to the company’s deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. government.
Clients hire Peter because he is a fighter. Peter forms close bonds with his clients because he genuinely cares about their needs and goals. In his fourth decade as a lawyer, Peter has a highly developed skill set that he employs to achieve victory for his clients. High net worth individuals rely on Peter to handle all of their critical litigation because they trust Peter and his devotion to their cause.
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Los Angeles, California
White collar criminal defense and complex business litigation.
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
White collar criminal defense attorney
Mayer Brown
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, California
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division
April 2025
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.
January 2025
April 2025
Chambers USA, 2009-2011
April 2025
Southern California Super Lawyers, 2012-2015
Los Angeles Times
October 2020
Peter Morris was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article, "Sheriff’s Department defied court orders to name deputies with histories of misconduct. It was a costly decision."
Webinars
May 2025