Atty. Peter Stris
Peter Stris is one of the most prominent business litigators of his generation. He serves as a lead strategist and presenter in must-win trials, landmark appeals, and rapid media-response campaigns.
Appellate Practice & More Attorney · Serving Cerritos, CA
Profile Summary
About Peter Stris at a Glance
Peter Stris is a ip and appellate attorney based in Cerritos, California, practicing at Stris & Maher LLP. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 2001). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property (2026), and Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice (Los Angeles) (2025). Serves clients in Cerritos, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Peter Stris
- Peter Stris is one of the most prominent business litigators of his generation
- He serves as a lead strategist and presenter in must-win trials, landmark appeals, and rapid media-response campaigns
- Peter represents a wide range of clients including companies, governmental entities, non-profits, investors, entrepreneurs, and executives
- He is also regularly hired by other attorneys to play a leading role in their most important and difficult cases
- Supreme Court and Appellate Practice Peter represents clients in state and federal appellate courts nationwide, including the U.S
- Supreme Court
- He is an elected fellow of the American and California Academies of Appellate Lawyers
- And his victories in “key matters” frequently make the National Law Journal’s exclusive Appellate Hot List (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- Mr. Stris was one of just 20 private-sector attorneys to argue six or more cases before the U.S
- Supreme Court over the period analyzed in a recent empirical study, achieving victories in cases interpreting the Copyright Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and ERISA
- Peter has handled dozens of major appeals before appellate courts throughout America, with highlights including his revival of multibillion-dollar environmental claims against Volkswagen and reversal of dismissals leading to collected recoveries of $24 million for investors in one case and over $22 million for pensioners in another
- Trial Practice Peter is an accomplished trial lawyer who represents both plaintiffs and defendants. “Over his 20-year career, he has successfully first-chaired a wide variety of bet-the-farm business cases to verdict or judgment” (LA Business Journal)
- He is consistently recognized as one of the leading courtroom lawyers in California (Benchmark Litigation)
- Recently, Peter won a multi-phase jury and bench trial that the Daily Journal named a Top 20 Defense Verdict of 2021
- The plaintiff, represented by a respected AmLaw firm, had sought $180 million for Lanham Act false advertising
- Peter is currently serving as lead counsel in several noteworthy cases preparing for trial in courtrooms throughout America
- Strategic Litigation Peter is often retained when an effective public communications strategy is critical
- He is adept at managing evolving situations where messaging must be issued in real time
- For example, Peter ran a notable litigation communications campaign that recovered his client’s life rights from the National Enquirer, allowing her to speak publicly about a 10-month relationship with President Donald Trump
- Watch Peter’s TV appearances
- Peter is known for his ability to serve as the public face of a communications strategy
- He has personally appeared on numerous broadcast outlets including morning talk shows (e.g., Good Morning America, The Today Show), cable news (e.g., Anderson Cooper 360, The Rachel Maddow Show), as well as public radio and television (e.g., All Things Considered, Nightly Business Report)
- His work is regularly featured in national print media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post
- Personal Peter received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review
- He earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, where, together with Elizabeth Brannen, he won the National Debating Championship
- He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Alice and two young children
Practice Areas Explained
Peter Stris's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Peter Stris handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Cerritos.
Intellectual Property in Cerritos
IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.
Peter Stris is one of 105,285 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in California →
Appellate Practice in Cerritos
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Peter Stris is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Cerritos
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Cerritos are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Cerritos Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Cerritos-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Cerritos or all attorneys in California.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Peter Stris
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Cerritos Choose Peter Stris
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Peter Stris's practice in the field of ip and appellate.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering ip and appellate, Peter Stris can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Cerritos
A Cerritos-based practice means Peter Stris attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Peter Stris Handles in Cerritos
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Peter Stris has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Peter Stris directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Peter Stris Online
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Peter Stris's Practice Areas & Specializations
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