Cozen O’Connor member Peter A. Lynch has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal in recognition of his meritorious service as Deputy Rule of Law Officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lieutenant Colonel Lynch received his medal at Camp Pendleton from Lieutenant General Helland, Commander of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Marine Expeditionary Force.
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration awarded for bravery, acts of merit and meritorious service. Lieutenant Colonel Lynch served in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province from March 2007 through February 2008, during which time he helped Iraqi police and lawmakers conduct criminal investigative hearings on terror suspects, provided guidance on the rule of law and the Iraqi criminal justice system, and worked to resolve problems of overcrowding in Iraqi jails. Lieutenant Colonel Lynch also led 63 combat missions in Fallujah, conducting counter insurgency operations and building and strengthening Iraqi law enforcement, corrections and judiciary capabilities. Under his leadership, there were no injuries during these combat missions to meet with members of the Iraqi judiciary.
Resident in the San Diego office, Lynch concentrates his practice in representing individuals, companies and insurers impacted by catastrophes to include subrogation and recovery, environmental matters, contracts and other civil matters. He is a weekly Internet columnist for interFIRE, a legal advisor to the San Diego County Fire Investigators Association, and a legal columnist for California Fire & Arson Investigator, published by the California Conference of Arson Investigators. He has also published over 65 articles on fire investigation and litigation and is a frequent lecturer on these topics.
Lynch was awarded a California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award (CLAY) in the Pro Bono category in recognition of his representation of a woman whose son was killed while serving as a fire fighter. The Brett Alan Laws Act was enacted and signed by the governor to protect emergency response personnel based on Lynch’s work. The award is given to those attorneys “who have left a lasting impact on the way those who follow them will practice.”
Lynch is a graduate of Illinois State University (B.S., 1981) and Southern Illinois University (J.D., 1984), where he was named Outstanding Senior, Environmental Law. He is admitted to practice in California.