P. Derek Petersen
- Phoenix
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Derek is an environmental and business litigator with more than 15 years of experience representing clients before both state and federal courts.
Derek Petersen has successfully resolved disputes throughout all stages of litigation—from pre-litigation counseling to jury and bench trials to appeals. He has significant experience representing clients in contaminated site litigation, including in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), state Superfund, and multiparty cost-recovery and allocation proceedings; government enforcement actions; and toxic tort claims. His CERCLA work includes both large federal Superfund sites as well as smaller state-led or voluntary cleanups.
In his environmental practice, Derek represents project sponsors during the federal environmental review process and defends project approvals under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He counsels clients on environmental compliance and regulatory matters under federal and state environmental laws, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and NEPA.
Derek also represents clients in a range of business litigation matters, including class-action defense, real estate, construction, intellectual property, employment, noncompetition, breach of contract, and business tort matters.
Maintaining an active pro bono practice, Derek has successfully helped a victim of an equity-skimming scam retain ownership of his home, and he has participated in the Bet Tzedek Holocaust Reparations Pro Bono Project—helping multiple Holocaust survivors obtain reparations.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, J.D., cum laude, Staff Writer, Arizona State Law Journal, 2007
- Brigham Young University, B.A., Political Science, cum laude, 2003
Bar and Court Admissions
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Arizona
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Related Employment
- The Hon. Michael D. Hawkins, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Judicial Extern, 2006
- Combs Law Group, P.C., Phoenix, AZ, Summer Associate, 2006
- Hon. Stephen M. McNamee, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Judicial Extern, 2006
Additional Languages
- Spanish
Professional Recognition
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Environmental, 2018-2025
Impact
Professional Leadership
- ASU Law School, Trial Advocacy Class, Co-Professor, 2019
- Arizona Forward Central Regional Council, Member
- Valley Leadership Advance, Class of 2017
- ASU Environmental and Sustainability Law Mentorship Initiative, Mentorship Award, 2016
