Partner
Office
San Francisco
Washington, DC
Phone
+1 415 293 4808
+1 202 639 3875
Peter Davis is a litigation and appellate partner in San Francisco who handles high-stakes cases from the first filing through the final appeal. Clients often bring him in early to build a legal theory that can win on a motion to dismiss, contest class certification, and hold up on appeal. He has represented technology and entertainment companies, colleges and universities, and other major institutions in their most important matters. His appellate work includes wins in multiple appeals with more than $1 billion at stake.
Peter has an active California appellate practice. He recently argued and won two appeals in the Second District of the California Court of Appeal for a major entertainment company. He currently represents a financial services company in an appeal before the Fourth Appellate District, and he represents a leading national business organization as amicus curiae in a significant writ proceeding before the Sixth Appellate District. He is also defending an ERISA class action in the Northern District of California and has successfully briefed appeals in cases of first impression before the Ninth Circuit.
Peter has extensive experience defending class actions, including antitrust, ERISA, and securities class actions. He has handled these cases at every stage, from motions to dismiss through class certification and appeal. His broader practice spans administrative law, the First Amendment, technology, and complex regulatory challenges, and he advises clients on regulatory matters with an eye toward bringing or anticipating litigation. Peter also advises higher education institutions on the complex and changing legal issues in college athletics, including federal and state legislation, media rights, and student-athlete eligibility
Beyond California, Peter has briefed appeals in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and DC Circuits and in state appellate courts in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and New York. He prevailed before the Indiana Court of Appeals for a joint defense group in litigation over local government efforts to tax streaming services. He has obtained interlocutory review for clients in both state and federal court. He has briefed Supreme Court certiorari and merits cases, second-chaired a Supreme Court argument, and maintains an active amicus practice on issues that matter to the business community.
Peter clerked for Justice Elena Kagan on the US Supreme Court, Judge Sri Srinivasan on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and Judge James Boasberg on the US District Court for the District of Columbia. That experience gives him a close understanding of how judges at every level of the federal system decide cases.
Peter maintains an active pro bono practice focused on civil rights, immigration, and criminal justice matters.
Representative Matters
California Experience
- Argued and won appeals before the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, for a major entertainment company: one in a putative class action over franchise fees, and one under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, in a case covered by the New York Times.
- Representing a financial services company in a pending appeal before the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District.
- Representing a leading national business organization as amicus curiae in a writ proceeding before the California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District.
- Defending a major technology company against ERISA class action claims in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
Class Action and Antitrust Defense
- Led motion-to-dismiss briefing and argument for a live entertainment company in a putative antitrust class action in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Successfully represented an entertainment company in securing dismissal of putative class actions over franchise fees across multiple jurisdictions, including on appeal.
- Defended colleges, universities, and a national academic organization in antitrust class actions challenging admissions and medical residency application practices.
- Defended a major defense manufacturer in a no-poach antitrust class action in the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented a leading technology company in monopolization enforcement litigation and private conspiracy matters.
- Represented a major airline in a government enforcement action and antitrust proceedings before federal appellate courts.
- Defended prominent clients against competition and unfair business practice claims.
Appellate and Supreme Court Experience
- Represented a telecommunications company in obtaining Supreme Court review of a significant intellectual property issue.
- Secured victories in federal circuit courts for technology and media clients.
- Successfully briefed an appeal for a pharmaceutical company concerning FDA approval of a new drug application.
- Represented a Fortune 500 company in a successful First Amendment challenge to a state labeling requirement.
- Represented a medical device company in constitutional challenges to state regulatory schemes.
- Briefed anti-SLAPP appeal and First Amendment matters in federal and state appellate courts.
- Collaborated with major trade associations on Supreme Court amicus briefs in high-profile cases.
- Counseled academic experts in Supreme Court amicus proceedings involving major regulatory and antitrust issues.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Peter Davis is a litigation and appellate partner in San Francisco who handles high-stakes cases from the first filing through the final appeal. Clients often bring him in early to build a legal theory that can win on a motion to dismiss, contest class certification, and hold up on appeal. He has represented technology and entertainment companies, colleges and universities, and other major institutions in their most important matters. His appellate work includes wins in multiple appeals with more than $1 billion at stake.
Peter has an active California appellate practice. He recently argued and won two appeals in the Second District of the California Court of Appeal for a major entertainment company. He currently represents a financial services company in an appeal before the Fourth Appellate District, and he represents a leading national business organization as amicus curiae in a significant writ proceeding before the Sixth Appellate District. He is also defending an ERISA class action in the Northern District of California and has successfully briefed appeals in cases of first impression before the Ninth Circuit.
Peter has extensive experience defending class actions, including antitrust, ERISA, and securities class actions. He has handled these cases at every stage, from motions to dismiss through class certification and appeal. His broader practice spans administrative law, the First Amendment, technology, and complex regulatory challenges, and he advises clients on regulatory matters with an eye toward bringing or anticipating litigation. Peter also advises higher education institutions on the complex and changing legal issues in college athletics, including federal and state legislation, media rights, and student-athlete eligibility
Beyond California, Peter has briefed appeals in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and DC Circuits and in state appellate courts in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and New York. He prevailed before the Indiana Court of Appeals for a joint defense group in litigation over local government efforts to tax streaming services. He has obtained interlocutory review for clients in both state and federal court. He has briefed Supreme Court certiorari and merits cases, second-chaired a Supreme Court argument, and maintains an active amicus practice on issues that matter to the business community.
Peter clerked for Justice Elena Kagan on the US Supreme Court, Judge Sri Srinivasan on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and Judge James Boasberg on the US District Court for the District of Columbia. That experience gives him a close understanding of how judges at every level of the federal system decide cases.
Peter maintains an active pro bono practice focused on civil rights, immigration, and criminal justice matters.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
California Experience
- Argued and won appeals before the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, for a major entertainment company: one in a putative class action over franchise fees, and one under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, in a case covered by the New York Times.
- Representing a financial services company in a pending appeal before the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District.
- Representing a leading national business organization as amicus curiae in a writ proceeding before the California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District.
- Defending a major technology company against ERISA class action claims in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
Class Action and Antitrust Defense
- Led motion-to-dismiss briefing and argument for a live entertainment company in a putative antitrust class action in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Successfully represented an entertainment company in securing dismissal of putative class actions over franchise fees across multiple jurisdictions, including on appeal.
- Defended colleges, universities, and a national academic organization in antitrust class actions challenging admissions and medical residency application practices.
- Defended a major defense manufacturer in a no-poach antitrust class action in the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented a leading technology company in monopolization enforcement litigation and private conspiracy matters.
- Represented a major airline in a government enforcement action and antitrust proceedings before federal appellate courts.
- Defended prominent clients against competition and unfair business practice claims.
Appellate and Supreme Court Experience
- Represented a telecommunications company in obtaining Supreme Court review of a significant intellectual property issue.
- Secured victories in federal circuit courts for technology and media clients.
- Successfully briefed an appeal for a pharmaceutical company concerning FDA approval of a new drug application.
- Represented a Fortune 500 company in a successful First Amendment challenge to a state labeling requirement.
- Represented a medical device company in constitutional challenges to state regulatory schemes.
- Briefed anti-SLAPP appeal and First Amendment matters in federal and state appellate courts.
- Collaborated with major trade associations on Supreme Court amicus briefs in high-profile cases.
- Counseled academic experts in Supreme Court amicus proceedings involving major regulatory and antitrust issues.
Credentials
Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
Education
- Stanford Law School, JD, Urban A. Sontheimer Honor, 2017
- Stanford University, BA, Honors in International Security Studies, 2011
Clerkships
- Hon. Elena Kagan, US Supreme Court
- Hon. Sri Srinivasan, US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
- Hon. James E. Boasberg, US District Court, District of Columbia
Service / Recognition
Awards
- Capitol Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2025