As a former federal prosecutor, Peter Gelhaar brings a rare combination of experience, reputation and relationships to bear in defending individuals, companies and other entities facing white collar criminal, SEC or other government enforcement investigations or charges and high stakes civil litigation.
Peter’s defense of his clients begins with his understanding of how to assess and overcome the allegations brought against them. He understands that cases are usually won on the facts. Tapping decades of experience, Peter investigates the facts thoroughly and forms effective arguments to persuade prosecutors to decline to pursue their cases.
Peter defends a wide range of businesses whose activities intersect with regulatory scrutiny involving securities enforcement, health care, financial services, and government procurement. He also represents individuals in investigations and proceedings before professional disciplinary boards.
Peter’s success defending white collar criminal and securities enforcement investigations is tied to his tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. As a Federal prosecutor, he served in the Criminal Division as a member of the Major Crimes and Public Corruption Units, and in the Civil Division as Deputy Chief and Chief of Affirmative Civil Enforcement. Having specialized in the prosecution of cases involving financial fraud, government contracting fraud, and health care fraud, he has an insider’s view of how best to defend against these cases.
Over the years, Peter has earned a reputation for working collaboratively and respectfully with all parties involved with bringing and defending cases. As a result, he has been appointed to serve on critical oversight boards including the Massachusetts Judicial Nominating Commission which plays a key role in selecting judges in the Commonwealth, and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine which oversees the medical profession. Peter also served as New England Regional Co-Chair of the American Bar Association's White Collar Crime Subcommittee. He is a frequent panelist in programs educating lawyers on criminal white collar and securities enforcement topics.
Peter is recognized as a Massachusetts leader in white collar crime and government investigations by Chambers USA which notes his “deep strategic sense.” Chambers has observed that Peter “maintains a broad white-collar criminal litigation and investigations practice” with an “inordinate level of expertise in healthcare fraud matters… [and a] practical approach that doesn't involve reinventing the wheel.” He has also been named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer and recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for many consecutive years in a peer-driven selection process.
Peter serves as a Corporator for the Perkins School for the Blind, and serves as a Board member for Dress For Success Boston and the Narrow River Preservation Association.