Peter G. Beeson
Shareholder

Biography

Peter is a trial attorney and shareholder who represents law firms, attorneys, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals in state and federal court. His practice focuses on legal malpractice defense, professional disciplinary proceedings, ethics consultations and expert opinions for the legal profession. Peter also does substantial work on environmental regulatory and litigation matters, including the defense of environmental criminal investigations and prosecutions; and trial work for a variety of educational institutions. With thirty-five years of experience in representing the State of New Hampshire, the federal government, businesses, educational institutions and members of the legal profession, Peter's practice now focuses on the most complex and demanding professional responsibility and commercial litigation matters.

Peter is Co-Chair of Devine's Attorney Conduct, Liability and Professionalism Group. He provides expert opinions on standard-of-care and ethical issues. He writes and lectures frequently before bar association gatherings, provides regular training and advice within the firm on risk management issues, and is listed in Woodward/White's Best Lawyers in America (2006-2011) in New Hampshire in the field of legal malpractice litigation. Peter is an active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association's Ethics Committee and a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. Peter received the 2008 New Hampshire Bar Association’s E. Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism.

Peter's environmental experience includes four years as director of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Criminal Enforcement and extensive environmental trial work for the United States Department of Justice and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. He represents businesses in connection with administrative, civil and criminal enforcement matters, and provides advice in Brownfields transactions. Peter has been listed in Woodward/White's Best Lawyers in America (2005-2011) in New Hampshire in the field of environmental law.

Peter also represents New Hampshire secondary schools, colleges and universities in liability defense and commercial litigation matters.

Education

• Cornell University School of Law, Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude), 1975
• Yale University, Bachelor of Arts, 1967

Representative Matters

• Has represented lawyers and law firms for seventeen years in legal malpractice, professional responsibility and criminal matters
• Successfully defended ski resort in federal grand jury investigation of unpermitted storm water discharges (investigation terminated without charges)
• Secured the dismissal of $80 million malpractice claim against Vermont law firm based on legal opinions regarding municipal contracts for electricity from Seabrook nuclear power plant
• Represented power company in federal criminal investigation into unpermitted discharges from hydroelectric facility
• Has regularly represented public and private universities in state and federal court on wrongful death (hazing), discrimination, wrongful discharge and personal injury claims
• Has represented multiple companies in evaluating, negotiating and resolving state and federal environmental liability issues relating to the acquisition of contaminated property
• Successful defense of professional negligence lawsuit that eliminated vicarious liability of New Hampshire real estate lawyers for errors of title abstractors (Lawyers Title v. Groff, 148 N.H. 333 (2002))
• Successfully represented company against federal criminal investigation into explosions resulting from mixture of incompatible wastes (investigation dropped without charges)
• Representation of multiple parties in litigation brought by State of New Hampshire to address MTBE contamination in state waters
• Successful defense of party in binding arbitration to allocate $6,000,000 in remediation cost for asbestos debris
• Defended municipality in multi-party toxic tort claim for construction-related contamination of drinking water

Professional Affiliations

Professional Activities and Associations

• Defense Research Institute ("DRI"), Co-Chair, Programming, Committee on Professionalism and Ethics 
• Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers ("APRL"), Member, Public Statements Committee 
• NHBA Ethics Committee (2001-present), Member
• NHBA Continuing Legal Education Committee (2002-present), Member
• New Hampshire Appellate Reform Commission (2001-2002), Vice Chair

Awards & Honors

• AV® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
• Ranked in Chambers USA, Environmental Law, 2009 -2012
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation - Environmental and Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, 2003-2013
• Recognized as a New England Super Lawyer, Environmental Litigation, 2007 - 2012
• New Hampshire Bar Association’s E. Donald Dufresne Award for Outstanding Professionalism, 2008

Speaking Engagements

• "Legal Ethics: Conflicts of Interest in Case Studies," National Business Institute, June 14, 2012
• "Legal Ethics for Everyday Practice," National Business Institute, June 21, 2011
• "Client Confidentiality, Candor to the Courts and Related Risk Management" (Panelist), Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association, September 12, 2009
• "Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the 'Rambo' Litigator" (Panelist), National Business Institute, August 21, 2009
• "The Rules Say What ??? - Selected Issues Raised by the Rules of Professional Conduct" (Panelist), New Hampshire Bar Association, June 17, 2009
• "The New Rules of Professional Conduct: Highlighting Some Important Changes" (Panelist), New Hampshire Bar Association, June 27, 2008
• "The Law Governing New Hampshire Lawyers: 2006-2007" (Panelist, webcast), New Hampshire Bar Association, June 28, 2007
• "The Advice of Counsel Defense: Does it Exist for Lawyers? and The Ethics of Cross-Border Practice in the Tri-State Region" (Panelist), Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association, September 21 & 22, 2007 
• "Practicing with Non-Lawyers and in 'Law-Related Businesses' - Ethical Considerations, Risks and Rewards" (Panelist, webcast), Defense Research Institute, December 18, 2006

Community Involvement

• New Hampshire Legal Assistance, Board of Directors
• Campaign for Legal Services, Steering Committee 

Publications

• "New Hampshire's Rules of Professional Conduct Undergo a Complete Overhaul," co-authored with Professor Mitch Simon and Attorney Betsy Baker, New Hampshire Bar Journal, June, 2006
• "Appellate System Reform Commission, Final Report (HB 135, Chapter 159:2, Laws of 2001)," November, 2001
• "Is New Hampshire Prepared to Address its Appellate Caseload Crisis?" New Hampshire Bar Journal, 2001
• "The New Hampshire Appellate System: Looking to the Future," January, 2000

Bar Admissions

• New Hampshire
• Vermont
  
• Washington (inactive)
  
• District of Columbia (inactive)