Peter E. Cooper joined Lawrence Kamin in July 1998, after positions with a Chicago securities litigation boutique and two diversified New York law firms. Peter's practice includes representing broker-dealers and registered representatives in customer complaints and securities arbitrations and lawsuits, and representing both plaintiffs and defendants in non-securities litigation ranging from business torts and breaches of contract to Truth-in-Lending Act claims.
Peter attempts to bring three essential attributes to all matters: a commitment to listening, an ability to structure and simplify complex legal and economic arguments and an appreciation for the value of clients' financial and human resources. "While we pride ourselves in our experience in handling disputes ranging from complex litigations to simple collections, we recognize that our clients are not in the business of litigating," says Cooper. "We measure our success not merely by victories in the courtroom, but by our clients' ability to continue uninterrupted in their daily lives and businesses while we advocate for them."
Through application of these attributes, Peter has achieved success before both judges and juries in court, and before arbitration panels and mediators in alternative dispute resolution. For example, in a jury trial, Peter secured a verdict greater than the damages he sought in the complaint, and successfully obtained payment of that judgment within three months. Likewise, in a recent Chicago Board Options Exchange arbitration, Peter and his team not only assisted the client to avoid all liability, but also helped to establish an accepted course of performance in the industry. Just as significantly, Peter and his colleagues have succeeded in having a remarkable number of matters-both court cases and arbitration proceedings- dismissed on motion, thus avoiding the risks and costs inherent in litigation.
An adjunct professor at the IIT Chicago-Kent School of Law, Peter previously served as the chair of the Securities Litigation and Enforcement Subcommittee of the Chicago Bar Association Securities Law Committee. Peter remains active in the Chicago Lincoln American Inn of Court, and has published a variety of articles on dispute resolution and securities and futures regulation.
Peter, his wife and children live in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where, after 12 years of coaching soccer, Peter finally has hung up his whistle. A Washington Nationals baseball fan, Peter observes that Cubs' fans have a 96-year head start on handling the futility of a disappointing season.
Articles & Presentations by this Attorney
- 7/7/2007, FINRA Substantially Revises Customer Arbitration Rules, NSCP Currents, July/August 2007
- 10/6/2006, Securities Mediation: An Alternative Path to Claims Resolution, National Regulatory Services 2006 Compliance Conference
- 4/30/2001, Broker-Dealer Customer and Recruiting Disputes, Glasser LegalWorks, Broker Dealer Litigation
- 11/1/1999, When is an FCM, CTA or Pool a Securities Broker-Dealer, an Investment Adviser or an Investment Company Under the Securities Laws?, Futures & Derivatives Law Report
- 9/1/1998, State and Federal Court Litigation Involving Futures and Derivatives, 8 Securities News, No. 2
Experience
Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop LLC
- Partner: 2000-Present
- Associate: 1998-2000
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
American Bar Association
- Securities Litigation Committee
- Securities Arbitration Subcommittee
Chicago Bar Association
- Securities Law Committee
- Chair, Securities Litigation and Enforcement
- Subcommittee, 1998-99
Chicago Lincoln A.I.C.
Illinois Institute of Technology
- Chicago-Kent College of Law,
- Adjunct Professor
Chicago Lincoln Inn of Court, AIC
Cornell University
Cornell University Council
- Cornell Club of Chicago, President
Community Service
Village of Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- Village Trustee
