Peter D. Rigelhaupt joined The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. in 2009, bringing his vast experience garnered over the course of his 20-year career as a litigator to the firm. For approximately 10 years prior to joining the firm, Mr. Rigelhaupt defended attorneys from inception of suit through trial in all types of legal malpractice actions. This experience gives him an intimate knowledge of the defense bar and insurance industry, and a unique insight into that side of the practice, making Mr. Rigelhaupt a very effective negotiator in addition to being an extremely well-rounded attorney.
In addition to Mr. Rigelhaupt’s skill in the courtroom trying cases, he is perhaps best known for his writing skills and considerable knowledge of the law. He heads the firm’s motion and appellate practice group. Most notably, Mr. Rigelhaupt was part of the team, along with David Perecman and Zachary Perecman, that convinced the New York State Court of Appeals to grant leave to appeal, something it rarely does, in a case that had been dismissed by the trial court and unanimously affirmed by the Appellate Division, Second Department, involving a woman who claimed to have been incarcerated for four years because of a coerced confession to murder. After granting leave to appeal and hearing argument, the Court of Appeals reversed the prior decision and reinstated the plaintiff’s case in a groundbreaking decision in the area of civil rights law, paving the way for a $4 million dollar settlement.
Mr. Rigelhaupt regularly appears before the First and Second Departments of the Appellate Division and has argued before the New York State Court of Appeals. He has over 75 reported cases to his credit in state and federal courts, as well as countless successes on motions for summary judgment. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He is married with two children.