Biography

Peter's practice focuses on issues related to the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands offshore and onshore. 

He counsels major multinational corporations, domestic companies, and leading industry trade associations regarding development and operations on the Outer Continental Shelf and on federally-managed lands onshore, including oil & gas, solar, wind, geothermal resources, and carbon capture and underground storage (CCUS). Peter also advises mining company and trade association clients on matters related to the development of hard-rock mineral resources on public lands. He is a highly recognized authority with respect to royalty reporting and payment issues for federal mineral leases offshore and onshore, and for Indian leases. Peter has successfully represented numerous clients in administrative proceedings before the United States Department of the Interior Board of Land Appeals.

Peter joined Beveridge & Diamond in 2006 after 25 years with the Office of the Solicitor, Department of the Interior. He was the Deputy Associate Solicitor for Mineral Resources, the senior career attorney responsible for providing legal advice to the energy, minerals, and royalty programs of the Minerals Management Service (now the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Office of Natural Resources Revenue) and the Bureau of Land Management. He also provided legal advice to other Departmental agencies including the Office of Surface Mining, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Park Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Peter has written and lectured on a wide range of legal topics relating to federal mineral royalties and development of oil & gas, coal, hard-rock minerals, and alternative energy on federally-managed lands. He has received numerous awards including the Presidential Rank Senior Executive Meritorious Service Award and the Secretary of the Interior Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding work in the Office of the Solicitor.

Education

  • Tulane University  (B.A., cum laude, 1972)
  • George Washington University  (J.D., with Honors, 1975)

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations

  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
  • DC Bar, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section, Public Lands Committee, Chair

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC, Super Lawyer (2017-2020)