Peter J. Wanek, Managing Partner
Peter brings over 25 years of litigation experience to his practice, focusing on general liability defense and insurance coverage. He has fought aggressively and successfully for clients in well over a hundred jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations. A seasoned and skilled litigator, Peter tried his first case just one month after being sworn into the Louisiana Bar in 1994.
Peter applies his knowledge and perspective as a litigator to all of his work on behalf of clients. He believes that only through trial experience can a litigator truly understand and appreciate the value of cases and provide accurate risk assessment. Based on his trial work, Peter effectively advises clients on whether matters should be tried or settled, leading to cost-effective defense strategies with optimal outcomes. His clients entrust him to defend their cases throughout Louisiana in both state and federal courts.
Prior to founding Wanek Kirsch Davies, Peter spent 20 years as a partner at a New Orleans defense firm, where he led the construction practice, as well as defended clients in a wide range of industries. Peter has extensive experience in products liability, as well as in the defense of architects and engineers in professional liability claims, and defense of manufacturers of construction products. His litigation experience also includes medical, dental, and legal malpractice defense. A significant portion of his practice is devoted to the construction industry, representing contractors and subcontractors with regard to construction contracts, construction defects, public bids, liens, delay claims, and construction litigation, mediation, and arbitration.
Peter has been voted into the esteemed American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges, and has been chosen as the Treasurer of the Southeast Division. He is also a member of the invitation-only Academy of New Orleans Trial Lawyers (ANOTL). Peter served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter, where he was editor of The Advocate, its quarterly newsletter. In addition, he is the immediate past chairman of the board of directors for The Blood Center of Louisiana, a non-profit community service organization.
Practice Areas
Administrative Law
Automobile, Trucking, and Transportation Defense
Commercial Litigation/Breach of Contract
Construction Law and Lien Law
Civil Rights
Employment and Labor Law Litigation Defense
Estate Planning and Succession Law
Financial Services Litigation
Insurance Coverage
Medical Malpractice Defense
Open Account and Collections
Products Liability
Premises Liability
Professional Liability
Property Damage Claims
Retail Liability
Education
J.D., Tulane University School of Law, 1994
B.A., Washington & Lee University, 1990
Admissions
Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Memberships
Treasurer, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)—Southeast Division
Member, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
Member, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (LADC)
Member, Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Member, National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA)
Board of Directors, 2007-2024, Federal Bar Association (FBA), New Orleans Chapter
Member, Academy of New Orleans Trial Lawyers (ANOTL)
Former Co-Chair, US Law Network, Construction Practice Group, Spring Conference in Charleston, SC
Member, Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA)
Member, Texas State Bar Association
Chairman, Board of Directors, The Blood Center of Louisiana
Office: 504-324-6455
Cell: 504-606-5515