Pete Perlman
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BACKGROUND – LEGAL CAREER
Began law practice in Lexington, Kentucky in 1962; admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; all Kentucky state courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Kentucky
· Served as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in Fayette County from 1965-1968
· Served as lead prosecutor in over 100 felony convictions, including Comm. v. Honke, the first LSD conviction in the United States; 1967
· Set up Peter Perlman Law Offices in 1978 – practice has concentrated on representation of individuals and families suffering death or catastrophic injury; primary emphasis has been on dangerous and defective products
· Received “av” rating from Martindale Hubbell, Inc. since 1979
· Adjunct professor, UK College of Law, 1979-2004
· Closing arguments from Peter’s cases have been profiled in numerous publications, including “Closing Arguments, Volume I and Volume II” published in 2006 and 2008
PEER RECOGNITION – STATE
· Selected to University of Kentucky College of Law “Alumni Hall of Fame” 1998
· Since 1993, the Kentucky Justice Association has honored the outstanding trial lawyer in the state with the “Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award”
· An endowment scholarship was established in Peter’s name at the UK College of Law in 1999 – this has provided scholarships for 20 students
· Selected by “Superlawyers” as one of Kentucky’s Top 10 Attorneys in 2007 and 2008; profiled in 2007 edition
· Former President Kentucky Justice Association
· Former President Kentucky Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates; limited to outstanding lawyers as selected by their peers
· Selected to give commencement address at graduation ceremonies of the University of Kentucky College of Law and Northern Kentucky College of Law
· Numerous seminar and educational presentations given to meetings and conventions sponsored by Fayette County Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky Justice Association, and UK College of Law
PEER RECOGNITION – NATIONAL
· Elected President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America; a national organization devoted to preservation of trial by jury; at the time he was President it consisted of 72,000 members (1985-1986)
· Elected President of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a national public interest law firm devoted to preservation of rights of average citizens in the court system (2000-2001)
· Elected President of the Civil Justice Foundation; provides support to grassroots organizations committed to prevention of consumer injury and access to justice (1989)
· Selected for membership in the Inner Circle of Advocates; national organization limited to 100 lawyers; considered the premier trial lawyers in the country representing average citizens and consumers (1984-present)
· Selected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; a national organization limited to 500 lawyers in the United States and 30 countries around the world; admission is based upon exceptional skill, character and integrity as chosen by peers and judges; consists of both plaintiff and defense lawyers; also served 4 terms on the Board of Directors (1983-present)
· Selected as member of the International Society of Barristers; trial lawyers chosen by their peers on the basis of excellence and integrity in advocacy; seeks to preserve trial by jury, the adversary system, and independence of the judiciary (2003)
· Selected by the American Bar Association to serve on Board of Trustees of the National Judicial College, the nation’s top judicial training institution
· Received Southern Trial Lawyers’ Association War Horse Award in 1995; given to lawyers who have shown exceptional commitment to furthering the cause of justice
· Served on faculty at seminars and programs presented at numerous law schools, including Harvard, Louisville, Kentucky, and Tennessee
· Presentation to National Press Club Newsmaker” series (1986)
· Authored numerous articles and legal publications, including the book “Opening Statement” and “Opening Statement, annotated” (published 1994)
· Featured in publication “Fighting for Public Justice – Cases and Trial Lawyers that made a difference” (published 2001)
· Listed in Best Lawyers of America since its publication in 1986
· Presented with the Tommy Malone Great American Eagle Award. This award recognizes an individual who has a calling to help others, who is a powerful example of the bold pursuit of excellence and justice, a person who inspires others, and is a living symbol of integrity, strength, bravery, devotion, and friendship as well as a hero to many. February 13, 2010, at the annual conference of STLA in New Orleans.
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER WORK
· Volunteer childrens’ activities – served as Big Brother; served as President of Junior Achievement; coach of Calvary Baptist Church “Upward Basketball Program”
· Served as chair of development and funding for playground for children at Cardinal Hill Hospital; at the time it was the first specialized playground for handicapped children in the United States
· Active member of Lexington Rotary Club since 1972; has served on many committees and on Board of Directors
· Served as President of Lexington Jaycees and Vice President of Kentucky Jaycees
· Selected as Outstanding Young Man of Lexington, and one of five Outstanding Young Men of Kentucky
· Member of the University of Kentucky Development Council
· University of Kentucky Fellow since 1972; also recognized as Henry Stites Barker Fellow in 2006
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Graduate Dixie Heights High School 1955
Graduate University of Kentucky 1959
Duke University College of Law 1959-1960
Graduate University of Kentucky College of Law 1962
PERSONAL
Married to the former Lana Day Coyle; three children: Pamela, Patrice and Penne; four grandchildren: Sarah, Jacob, Jack and Nick