Managing Partner
Peter Perlman is admitted to the bar in Kentucky, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He attended Duke University and received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Kentucky. His areas of practice are personal injury, civil litigation and products liability.
Peter is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a member of the International Society of Barristers, a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, has served on the Board of Trustees of the National Judicial College and is a founding member and past President of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. He is also past President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Civil Justice Foundation, and the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys.
He is a member of the University of Kentucky College of Law Alumni Hall of Fame and the author of numerous publications, including the book, Annotated Opening Statements.
He has won more than 60 multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Pete has been told by judges and opposing lawyers that his greatest strength is his ability to simplify complicated issues. Pete frequently uses analogies, country music, proverbs, and other similar methods to help tell the story to the jury.
The Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award is given annually by the Kentucky Justice Association. This prestigious award is bestowed upon an attorney who has demonstrated exceptional talent, fights for the rights of consumers, and gives back to the legal profession.
Peter received the "President's Award" at the annual AIEG (lawyers specializing in crashworthiness cases) meeting last November. The award was in recognition of successful efforts to force General Motors and Chrysler to assume liability for all vehicles involved in collisions after bankruptcy. The award states in part "you are true hero to the tens of millions for whom you fought for accountability from the auto manufacturers."
PERSONAL
Married to the former Lana Day Coyle; three children: Pamela, Patrice and Penne; four grandchildren:
Sarah, Jacob, Jack and Nick
Areas of Practice
Product Liability, Catastrophic Personal Injury and Crashworthiness
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Kentucky, 1962
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky J.D. - 1962
Duke University College of Law
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky A.B. - 1959
Published Works
"Closing Arguments, Volume I and Volume II", 2006
"Opening Statement", 1994
"Opening Statement, Annotated", 1994
"Fighting for Public Justice – Cases and Trial Lawyers that made a Difference", 2001
Classes/Seminars
Adjunct Professor, UK College of Law, 1979 - 2004
Honors and Awards
Received "AV" Rating from Martindale Hubbell, Inc., 1979 - Present
Selected to University of Kentucky College of Law "Alumni Hall of Fame", 1988
Kentucky Justice Association has Honored the Outstanding Trial Lawyer, "Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award"
An Endowment Scholarship was Established in Peter’s Name at the UK College of Law, 1999
Selected by Super Lawyers as one of Kentucky's Top 10 Attorneys in 2007 and 2008; Profiled in 2007 Edition
Former President Kentucky Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates; Limited to Outstanding Lawyers as Selected by their Peers
Selected to Give Commencement Address at Graduation Ceremonies of the University of Kentucky College of Law and Northern Kentucky College of Law
Selected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Selected as Member of the International Society of Barristers
Selected by the American Bar Association to serve on Board of Trustees of the National Judicial College
Southern Trial Lawyers' Association War Horse Award, 1995
Listed in Best Lawyers of America since its publication in 1986, 1986
Tommy Malone Great American Eagle Award
Selected as Outstanding Young Man of Lexington, and One of Five Outstanding Young Men of Kentucky
University of Kentucky Fellow, 1972 - Present
Henry Stites Barker Fellow, 2006
Henry T Duncan Award, Fayette County Bar Association, 2010
Civil Justice Foundation's Award, "Champion of Justice"
Professional Associations and Memberships
Kentucky Justice Association, Former President
Kentucky Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates, Former President
American Association for Justice, President, 1985 - 1986
President, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 2000 - 2001
Civil Justice Foundation, President, 1989
Inner Circle of Advocates, Member, 1984 - Present
Past Employment Positions
Fayette County, Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, 1965 - 1968
Pro Bono Activities
Volunteer Childrens' Activities – Served as Big Brother
Served as President of Junior Achievement
Coached Upward Basketball at Calvary Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky
Chair, Development and Funding for Playground for Children at Cardinal Hill Hospital
Member, Lexington Rotary Club, 1972 - Present
President of Lexington Jaycees
Vice President of Kentucky Jaycees
Board of Directors, National Chorale, Lincoln Center, New York City