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Peter C. Magnuson

Partner

Overview

Peter Magnuson is an experienced trial lawyer and legal strategist who represents clients in high-stakes litigation across the country. Peter specializes in post-transaction and other complex contractual disputes, as well as securities and corporate litigation. He also represents clients in the sports industry, where he has defended major sports leagues in high-profile litigation both at the trial and appellate levels. Peter has been described in Chambers USA as a “persuasive oral advocate” with “outstanding” written work product.

Transaction and Commercial Litigation

Peter represents clients in post-transaction disputes and related commercial litigation. He is experienced in matters involving indemnification rights, purchase-price adjustments, earn-out provisions, and trade secrets and confidential information. He also serves clients as a trusted advisor and zealous advocate whenever high-stakes contractual disputes arise. Most recently, Peter led a trial team at a three-week trial in a contractual dispute with nearly $250 million at stake, achieving a favorable verdict for an energy company. He also has successfully defended a public university at a two-week trial involving a $28 million breach-of-contract claim.

Securities Litigation

Peter represents clients and their officers and directors in securities and shareholder disputes. His advocacy is informed by his work as a contributing author to Thomson Reuters’ Shareholder Litigation treatise, for which he provides annual updates and tracks the latest developments in the law.

Consumer Disputes

Peter defends clients in class actions arising under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and state attorney general investigations involving RESPA issues. He also advises clients on RESPA compliance, to avoid disputes before they arise.

Peter also is experienced in other consumer disputes, including those arising under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and a variety of state consumer-fraud and other consumer-protection statutes.

Sports Law

Peter also has significant experience in the sports industry, whether defending the National Football League and the National Hockey League against suits brought by former players, or advising and representing sports-industry clients in competitor or contractual disputes.

Personal Interests

An increasingly “former” basketball player, Peter is begrudgingly accepting the transition to less taxing sports, as well as serving as a youth basketball coach and general taxi service to the youth athletes in his household. (The jury is out on whether he will survive travel baseball.) An active musician, he plays the pipe organ for weekly services and sings in a local choir. He also serves on the board of elders at a Minneapolis church.

Related Industries

Related Topics

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Clerkships

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Hon. James B. Loken, 2011-2012

Education

University of Michigan Law School
J.D. magna cum laude, Michigan Law Review (notes editor) (2011)

Duke University
B.A. with high distinction, Dean's List, Henry Schuman Prize in Music (2007)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Shareholder Litigation
    Co-author, Supplement and chapter update, Thomson Reuters, 2014-18
  • 10 Key Trade Secret Developments of 2015: Part 2
    Co-author, Law360, Jan. 15, 2016
  • Critical Trade Secret Developments
    Co-author, The Minnesota IP Book, 2013

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Tubman Safety Project — Peter helps victims of domestic violence obtain Orders of Protection.

Professional Associations

  • Shareholder Litigation (Thomson Reuters) — Contributing Author

Civic Activities

  • Straitgate Church — Board of Elders

Honors

  • Chambers USA — Minnesota, Litigation: General Commercial, "Up and Coming," 2024
  • Chambers USA — Minnesota, Litigation: General Commercial, 2023
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers — "Rising Stars," Class Actions, 2019 
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2018
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.