Peter C. Hansen
Practice Areas
Experience
- Appellate
- Arbitration
- Business Litigation
Biography
Peter focuses on appeals. He also does trial work requiring the appellate skillset. Peter litigates a range of issues such as class actions, sovereign/governmental immunity, and commercial disputes.
Peter is the chair of the Austin Bar Association Civil Appellate Section. He is also involved in the appellate community through his work on the Texas Association of Defense Counsel Amicus Committee and the Third Court of Appeals Pro Bono Committee. He began his career working at the Texas Solicitor General, tracking bills during the legislative session for the Texas Attorney General Intergovernmental Relations Division, and clerking at the Texas Supreme Court. Since then, Peter has over a decade of experience as an attorney in private practice representing clients in the Fifth Circuit, Texas Supreme Court, and other appellate and trial courts.
Education
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
Texas Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Energy Commissioning v. High Tower, Williamson County District Court: Came into case as post-trial counsel to respond to opposing counselâs motion for $2.8 million on the juryâs verdict; obtained court order reducing award to $85,000.
- Obtained a unanimous appellate victory in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, preserving an $18 million default judgment that the Jackson Walker trial team obtained. It is rare to get a large default judgment, and it is also rare to uphold one in the Ninth Circuit.
- Acadian Properties Austin, LLC v. KJMonte Investments, No. 20-00048 (Tex. App.âEl Paso July 31, 2021)-Obtained affirmance of $600,000 default judgment
- Equity Trust Co. v. Hampton, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 5674 (Tex. App.âAustin July 23, 2020, pet. denied) (obtained complete reversal and render of adverse jury verdict).
- Ortiz et al. v. American Airlines Inc. et al. (5th Cir. 2021)âSuccessfully represented national airline’s credit union against a 20,000-member ERISA class certification.
- Heriberto Chavez et al. v. Plan Benefit Services Inc. et al. (5th Cir. 2020)âSuccessfully defended against 90,000-member ERISA class certification. Court vacated certification order, citing a lack of “rigorous analysis” required by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
- In re Estate of Kenneth Andrews, 04-20-00058-CV â obtained affirmance of jury verdict upholding last will and testament and defeating claims of undue influence
- CPS Energy v. Smith, 562 S.W.3d 75 (Tex. App.âSan Antonio 2018)âObtained court of appealsâ opinion reversing trial court and rendering judgment for CPS Energy on governmental immunity grounds; obtained denial of plaintiffâs subsequent petition for review in Texas Supreme Court.
- In re C.Z.H., 2017 WL 4900499 (Tex. App.âAustin 2018)âObtained reversal and remand for new conservatorship hearing in pro bono family law matter.
- Community Health Systems v. Hansen, 525 S.W.3d 671 (Tex. 2017)âAssisted in obtaining re-instatement of take-nothing judgment against multimillion dollar claim based on justification defense to tortious interference.
- In re Deepwater Horizon, 784 F.3d 1019 (5th Cir. 2015)âAssisted in obtaining affirmance of dismissal of Mexican Statesâ claims for pollution-related damages from the Macondo Oil spill as barred by the Robins Dry Dock rule.
- Venture Cotton Cooperative v. Freeman, 435 S.W.3d 222 (Tex. 2014)âAssisted in successfully upholding arbitration agreement against challenge of unconscionability.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Appellate Practice, 2026
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Appellate Law, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
- Event Co-Organizer and Moderator, “Artificial Intelligence and Appellate Law” (February 2024)
- Event Co-Organizer, âWisdom from the Bench: Practical Tips for Appellate Practitionersâ (May 2022)
- Speaker, “Pushing the Bounds of Litigation Norms,â Bench Bar Conference (2018)
- Co-Author, Pre-Suit Depositions Under Rule 202: A Survey Of Hot Button Issues, 36th Annual Page Keeton Civil Litigation Conference (October 2012)
- Austin Bar Association Appellate Section: Chair
- Third Court of Appeals Pro Bono Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
- University of Texas School of Law Mentorship Program mentor
- The Appellate Project mentor
- Texas Access to Justice Commission: Champion of Justice Society
- Texas Veg Foundation: Board of Directors
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel Amicus Committee
- Volunteer Legal Services Eviction Task Force volunteer attorney
August 21, 2025
Attorney News
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
July 15, 2025
Attorney News
âAustin Monthlyâ Lists 44 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ of 2025
Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2025. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 40 categories.
July 11, 2024
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 21 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2024
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2024. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
July 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 12 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker congratulates the 12 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2023. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
October 25, 2022
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 14 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2022
Jackson Walker congratulates the 14 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2022. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 38 categories.
September 3, 2021
Newsletters
Labor & Employment Dispatch: September 2021
View the September 2021 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.
Practice Experience
- Energy Commissioning v. High Tower, Williamson County District Court: Came into case as post-trial counsel to respond to opposing counselâs motion for $2.8 million on the juryâs verdict; obtained court order reducing award to $85,000.
- Obtained a unanimous appellate victory in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, preserving an $18 million default judgment that the Jackson Walker trial team obtained. It is rare to get a large default judgment, and it is also rare to uphold one in the Ninth Circuit.
- Acadian Properties Austin, LLC v. KJMonte Investments, No. 20-00048 (Tex. App.âEl Paso July 31, 2021)-Obtained affirmance of $600,000 default judgment
- Equity Trust Co. v. Hampton, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 5674 (Tex. App.âAustin July 23, 2020, pet. denied) (obtained complete reversal and render of adverse jury verdict).
- Ortiz et al. v. American Airlines Inc. et al. (5th Cir. 2021)âSuccessfully represented national airline’s credit union against a 20,000-member ERISA class certification.
- Heriberto Chavez et al. v. Plan Benefit Services Inc. et al. (5th Cir. 2020)âSuccessfully defended against 90,000-member ERISA class certification. Court vacated certification order, citing a lack of “rigorous analysis” required by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
- In re Estate of Kenneth Andrews, 04-20-00058-CV â obtained affirmance of jury verdict upholding last will and testament and defeating claims of undue influence
- CPS Energy v. Smith, 562 S.W.3d 75 (Tex. App.âSan Antonio 2018)âObtained court of appealsâ opinion reversing trial court and rendering judgment for CPS Energy on governmental immunity grounds; obtained denial of plaintiffâs subsequent petition for review in Texas Supreme Court.
- In re C.Z.H., 2017 WL 4900499 (Tex. App.âAustin 2018)âObtained reversal and remand for new conservatorship hearing in pro bono family law matter.
- Community Health Systems v. Hansen, 525 S.W.3d 671 (Tex. 2017)âAssisted in obtaining re-instatement of take-nothing judgment against multimillion dollar claim based on justification defense to tortious interference.
- In re Deepwater Horizon, 784 F.3d 1019 (5th Cir. 2015)âAssisted in obtaining affirmance of dismissal of Mexican Statesâ claims for pollution-related damages from the Macondo Oil spill as barred by the Robins Dry Dock rule.
- Venture Cotton Cooperative v. Freeman, 435 S.W.3d 222 (Tex. 2014)âAssisted in successfully upholding arbitration agreement against challenge of unconscionability.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Appellate Practice, 2026
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Appellate Law, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
Publications & Speeches
- Event Co-Organizer and Moderator, “Artificial Intelligence and Appellate Law” (February 2024)
- Event Co-Organizer, âWisdom from the Bench: Practical Tips for Appellate Practitionersâ (May 2022)
- Speaker, “Pushing the Bounds of Litigation Norms,â Bench Bar Conference (2018)
- Co-Author, Pre-Suit Depositions Under Rule 202: A Survey Of Hot Button Issues, 36th Annual Page Keeton Civil Litigation Conference (October 2012)
Community Involvement
- Austin Bar Association Appellate Section: Chair
- Third Court of Appeals Pro Bono Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
- University of Texas School of Law Mentorship Program mentor
- The Appellate Project mentor
- Texas Access to Justice Commission: Champion of Justice Society
- Texas Veg Foundation: Board of Directors
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel Amicus Committee
- Volunteer Legal Services Eviction Task Force volunteer attorney