Peter N. Villar

Peter is a seasoned trial attorney who has successfully tried and defended dozens of high-stakes commercial disputes across the U.S., including several of the largest cases in the Central District of California involving billions of dollars in alleged damages. Peter represents companies across a wide spectrum of industries, including private equity, technology, aerospace, apparel, manufacturing, energy, finance, life sciences, and real estate, and has litigated claims of securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, racketeering, conspiracy, theft of trade secrets, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and all forms of contractual disputes. Peter has extensive experience defending companies, broker-dealers, accounting firms, and financial institutions in lawsuits arising out of the purchase or sale of securities as well as investigations and enforcement actions by the SEC, PCAOB, FINRA, and other regulatory agencies.

Peter litigates cases in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. and in arbitration. He also has successfully briefed and argued numerous cases in the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Most recently, Peter prevailed in a unanimous published decision by the California Court of Appeal upholding the right to continue operation and development of the iconic oceanfront Belmont Park in San Diego.

Peter also has served on the board of directors of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Federal Bar Association, and Constitutional Rights Foundation. Additionally, Peter was recognized as a Best Lawyer in America “Lawyer of the Year” (2023) in the area of Securities Litigation.

• Lead trial counsel in a multimillion-dollar litigation real estate dispute on behalf of a real estate investment firm in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2020. Obtained a complete defense verdict on all counts.
• Lead trial counsel in a high-stakes investor fraud case in Orange County Superior Court in 2020. Obtained a complete victory on all counts and was awarded all damages sought on behalf of the plaintiff venture capital firm.
• Lead counsel for the defendant in a complex contract dispute on behalf of a real estate development company. Obtained a complete defense victory following a AAA arbitration hearing in 2020.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the plaintiff and cross-defendant investment company in a multimillion-dollar securities fraud litigation in 2020.
• Successfully defended a multibillion-dollar contract and fraud dispute involving the aerospace industry.
• Successfully defended a high-stakes lawsuit against the developer of the historic oceanfront Belmont Park in San Diego. Obtained a complete defense judgment in trial court, achieved a unanimous published decision affirming the judgment by the California Court of Appeal, and defeated plaintiff’s petition for review by the California Supreme Court.
• Defended world’s leading manufacturer of military vehicles in complex breach of contract action arising out of an alleged $500 million deal with a foreign government. Obtained dismissal of action prior to trial and prevailed on all related appeals in the California Court of Appeals and Ninth Circuit.
• Defended private equity company in breach of contract and fraud action arising out of a $500 million acquisition. Obtained summary judgment.
• Successfully defended a high-profile international money laundering case.
• Defended venture capital firm in a high-profile case involving claims of fraud, racketeering, conspiracy, trademark, and copyright infringement seeking hundreds of millions in damages. Obtained summary judgment of all claims against client prior to trial.
• Successfully defended officers and directors of bio-tech company against shareholder derivative suit. Obtained motion to dismiss all claims.
• Defended brokerage firm in $100 million action involving the issuance of mortgage backed securities. Settled case for less than costs of defense.
• Represented global auto manufacturer in trademark infringement lawsuit against competitor. Competitor agreed to cease infringement prior to trial.
• Represented music record label in high-stakes trademark infringement lawsuit against television network and broadcasting company.
• Defended brokerage firm in multimillion-dollar professional negligence claims. Obtained complete dismissal of claims at arbitration.
• Defended brokerage firm in breach of fiduciary duty action brought by foreign investor. Achieved a complete dismissal of action prior to trial.
• Defended Big 4 accounting firm in $30 million accounting malpractice action involving the reporting of advertising costs. Achieved favorable settlement for less than cost of defense.
• Represented Big 4 accounting firm in stock options backdating investigation by SEC. Persuaded SEC to drop the charges.
• Defended publicly traded, global wireless communications company in multimillion-dollar antitrust and unfair competition actions. Achieved favorable settlement for client.
• Defended publicly traded, owner and operator of national restaurant chain in $25 million breach of contract action involving the sale of franchises. Obtained a complete defense verdict at trial and was awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.
• Defended publicly traded, international media company in multimillion-dollar securities fraud action brought by shareholder. Obtained a complete defense verdict at trial.
• Represented national health care provider as plaintiff in fraud action against reinsurance broker. Obtained summary judgment and recovered all requested damages.
• Represented national furniture manufacturer as plaintiff in breach of contract action against distributor. Obtained summary judgment on complaint and cross-complaint and recovered all requested damages.
• Defended venture capitalist in partnership dispute involving real estate venture. Obtained summary judgment and was awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.
• Defended real estate developer in multi-tort action filed by adjacent landowner. Obtained summary judgment.
• Represented technology company in declaratory relief action against insurance company for breaching its duty to defend company in a suit brought by former employee. Obtained summary judgment and successfully argued to affirm the judgment in the California Court of Appeal.
• Defended geotechnical engineering company in breach of fiduciary duty action brought by shareholders. Achieved favorable settlement for client.
• Defended pro bono client in defamation action. Achieved complete dismissal of action prior to trial.

• Best Lawyers in America®: “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Securities (2023)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Litigation – Securities (2022-2026), Commercial Litigation (2023-2026)
• Constitutional Rights Foundation, “Attorney Mock Trial Coach of the Year” Award (2008)
• Orange County Pro Bono Award (2007, 2012)
• Former Chairman, Judicial Council, Northwestern University School of Law
• Former Member, National Moot Court Team, Northwestern University School of Law
• “Best Speaker” Award, Moot Court Competition, Northwestern University School of Law