Erik L. Peterson is regarded among the nation's top Civil Trial Attorneys. A Partner at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP, he has cultivated a reputation of excellence among his peers, colleagues, and clients as well as a record of success that includes what is believed to be the largest recovery in California history for a medical malpractice case (a $17M birth injury settlement over infant brain damage obtained in California in May 2019), and obtained a $21M jury verdict for a brain injury sustained in a car accident.

Mr. Peterson is licensed to practice in California and Hawaii, and represents victims and families throughout both states and the U.S. in a range of medical malpractice and personal injury claims.

Mr. Peterson has earned widespread recognition from leading legal organizations. He has been named to the prestigious Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2006, included among The Best Lawyers in America and The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and selected as a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of all practicing U.S. attorneys.

A Career Dedicated to Helping Clients Obtain Justice
A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mr. Peterson has successfully tried an array of complex and high-stakes civil claims over his nearly 30 years in practice, including those involving medical malpractice, maritime law, wrongful termination, and motor vehicle accidents. Together with Partner James Bostwick, he has helped the firm recover more than $1 billion in compensation for clients.

In addition to his passion for helping victims and families navigate emotionally turbulent times, Mr. Peterson has become known for being an intelligent, experienced, and gifted litigator. He has also secured a number of high-value verdicts and settlements, several of which have set local, state, and national records.

Some of Mr. Peterson's most notable results include:

Mr. Peterson successfully co-tried a case involving a brain-injured truck accident victim resulting in a $21M verdict with interest and costs. The jury verdict is believed to be the largest net compensatory (non-punitive) award of its type for an individual in California state history.
In May 2019, Mr. Peterson obtained a $17M birth injury settlement over brain damage during pregnancy. The recovery is believed to be the largest medical malpractice present value result (settlement or verdict) in the history of California.

Award & Accolades
The Best Lawyers in America© (2021)
Super Lawyers® Magazine (2006-2020)
Hawaii Medical Malpractice Super Lawyers® 2019
2019 Top100 Lawyers Registry Attorney of the Year California for Medical Malpractice
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
AV® Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
America's Top 100 Attorneys (Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury Litigation)
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®

Professional Memberships / Distinctions
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Hawaii Association for Justice
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Judge Pro-Tem, Superior Court of San Francisco
Panelist, San Francisco Bar Association Early Settlement Program
Board of Directors, Consumer Attorneys of California
AVVO's Highest Rating for Professionalism & Ethics
Member, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

Publications
California Medical Malpractice Law in Spotlight SF Gate
Getting Sick on the High Seas: A Question of Accountability The New York Times