Wikipedia

Arnold Philimon Peter

Arnold Philimon Peter (born April 3, 1957), is an American entertainment and labor lawyer who served as a vice president of legal and business affairs at Universal Studios[1] from 1997 to 2002.[2] An active member of the State Bar of California,[3] he served as a vice-chair and chair of its Labor and Employment Section from 1995 to 1997.[4]

Early life and education

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Peter was raised in, California. His parents were immigrants from Pakistan Irene and Kundan Peter.[5][6]

Peter earned an undergraduate degree from California State University at Long Beach in 1981 and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in 1984.[7][8]

Career

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Peter began his legal career as an assistant city attorney for the City of Fresno, CA handling employment-related issues. He was later elected chair of the California State Bar Labor and Employment Section.[8][9]

He then went on to join Universal Studios in their legal department as Director of Labor Relations. He was promoted to Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs.[8]

He later led the entertainment law practice at Lord Bissell & Brook.[10]

In 2006 Peter joined forces with veteran entertainment attorneys Gary Raskin, Barbara Rubin and Jody Simon to launch a law practice Raskin Peter Rubin & Simon in Century City, California.[11] Firms clients included: Maverick Films, the National Assn. of TV Program Executives (NATPE), New Line TV, BBC Worldwide Prods, Bruce Zimmerman (“Desperate Housewives”), Mercedes-Benz, University of Southern California and Pepperdine University.[12]

Peter has served as an intermediary between Indian filmmakers in their efforts to secure financing and distribute English-language films in the United States. He has represented Yash Raj Films, 20th Century Fox, and Reliance Entertainment to bring Bollywood projects to English language audiences.[13][9]

Notable cases

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Wade v. Starbucks

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In June 2019, Peter represented a transgender former employee of Starbucks in a suit against the coffee chain for discrimination and harassment.[14] The plaintiff claims that the local manager of the Starbucks location limited her hours and opportunities for advancement after she revealed that she would be undergoing hormone therapy and feminization surgery.[15][16] The case continues on appeal.[17]

Coogle v CDCR

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In 2018, Peter represented a female guard at a California State Prison who lost her baby following an incident while on the job.[18] Peter sued the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) claiming in his filing that the death of the child was due in part to the prison’s failure to provide the plaintiff with reasonable accommodations during her pregnancy.[19] The two parties settled the matter out of court in 2019 for $1.7 million.[20][21]

Jacqueline Carrion, et. al. v CDCR

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In March 2019, Peter filed a discrimination complaint against the CDCR on behalf of six female employees in violation of California’s Fair Housing and Employment Act.[22] The plaintiffs claimed that they were not offered reasonable accommodations in the workplace while pregnant.[23][24]

A final outcome of the case is pending. However, in February 2020, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) changed their policy[25] on appropriate accommodations for pregnant guards and other peace officers in the workplace.[26]

Ansel Adams negatives controversy

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In 2010, Peter represented an individual who had unknowingly purchased a set of original glass negatives taken by famed photographer Ansel Adams for $45 in a Fresno California garage sale.[27] The Adams Estate sued the purchaser and the matter was ultimately settled out of court.[28] Peter led the fight on behalf of the purchaser, enlisting numerous experts to prove the authenticity and provenance of the negatives which were valued at more than $200 million.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ Journal, A. B. A. "Who Says Law Ain't a Thrill Ride?". ABA Journal. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  2. ^ "TV Commentator Horowitz Takes on One-Time Partners | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  3. ^ "Arnold Philimon Peter # 120091 - Attorney Licensee Search". apps.calbar.ca.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  4. ^ "California Labor and Employment Law Review – California Lawyers Association". Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  5. ^ "Rev. Dr. Kundan L. PETER Obituary (2011) Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  6. ^ admin (2019-12-24). "Irene Peter Obituary - Rancho Cucamonga, California". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  7. ^ "Arnold Philimon Peter". lawyers.justia.com. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  8. ^ a b c "Bio | Arnold Peter". straighttalktv.com. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  9. ^ a b "Hollywood Social Security Disability Attorneys - LII California Attorney Directory". lawyers.law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  10. ^ "Lord, Bissell & Brook Expands Entertainment Law Office in Los Angeles". www.metnews.com. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  11. ^ "Noted ..." Wall Street Journal. 2006-04-24. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  12. ^ Schneider, Michael (2006-01-20). "Showbiz lawyers hanging shingle". Variety. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  13. ^ Marich, Robert (2013-12-10). "Showbiz Strategists: Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report". Variety. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  14. ^ "Wade v. Starbucks Corp. et al. - 18CECG02779 June 10, 2019". Trellis. 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  15. ^ Cramer, Maria (2020-03-01). "Baristas at Starbucks Accuse Service Company of Abuse and Pay Gaps". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  16. ^ Gant, Michelle (2018-08-02). "Former Starbucks employee suing company for 'discrimination' after telling boss about transition". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  17. ^ "Judge: Trans Starbucks Worker Didn't Suffer Harassment". www.advocate.com. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  18. ^ "Lawsuit alleges prison didn't accommodate pregnant officer". AP NEWS. 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  19. ^ "Lawsuit against California Department of Corrections moving toward jury trial in October". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  20. ^ "Settlement reached in lawsuit brought by female correctional officer who alleged gender discrimination". KGET 17. 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  21. ^ "Woman awarded $1.7 million for alleged discrimination in lawsuit filed against CDCR". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  22. ^ KABC (2019-07-29). "California female prison guards suing for safer work conditions when pregnant". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  23. ^ "Fighting Pregnancy Discrimination in the California Department of Corrections - Ms. Magazine". msmagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  24. ^ "Valley woman joins class-action maternity suit against CDCR". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  25. ^ "archive". sacbee.
  26. ^ "State Worker". Sacbee.
  27. ^ "Lawyer: Negatives verified as Ansel Adams' work". The Oakland Press. 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  28. ^ Harmanci, Reyhan (2011-03-15). "An Agreement Is Reached in Ansel Adams Lawsuit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  29. ^ "Experts: Ansel Adams photos found at garage sale worth $200 million - CNN.com". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  30. ^ "A University Finds Itself in the Middle of an Art-World Controversy". www.chronicle.com. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
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