Houston Mediator Peter Taaffe

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Biography:

Peter Taaffe is a distinguished legal professional with a deep-rooted connection to Houston, Texas.  As of October 2025, he has mediated over 1,200 cases.

Raised in the city, he graduated from Lamar High School and later the University of Texas. His journey in the legal field commenced as an aide to Congressman Sam Johnson in Washington, DC, following which he pursued his law degree at the University of Houston Law Center.

Upon graduating with honors, Peter gained invaluable experience as the Senior Law Clerk to the renowned U.S. District Court Judge Joe J. Fisher in Beaumont. Subsequently, he contributed his legal expertise to both national and local firms in Houston and Austin. From 2006 to 2021, Peter specialized in a diverse array of cases, handling personal injury and commercial litigation at a prominent boutique litigation firm in Houston.

Throughout his career, Peter has exhibited proficiency in civil litigation and arbitration, covering a broad spectrum of legal matters such as commercial disputes, intellectual property cases, Jones Act/maritime claims, industrial and oilfield accidents, dram shop claims, auto accidents, and sexual assault claims. His track record also includes successfully managing and resolving mass tort actions.

In recognition of his commitment to pro bono legal work for indigent clients, Peter has received accolades from the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and Travis County (Austin) Volunteer Legal Services. In 2013, he underwent mediation training at the University of Houston, ultimately resolving thousands of cases through the mediation process.

Thomson Reuters acknowledged Peter’s legal acumen by including him in the Texas Super Lawyers list for personal injury litigation and business litigation consecutively from 2016 to 2021, and for Alternative Dispute Resolution from 2022 to 2025.

Adding to his career, Peter recently became a member of prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Texas Chapter (2024), and the Association of Attorney-Mediators.

Peter recently concluded a noteworthy six-year term as a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston System. Appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2013 and re-appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the Board, chaired the Audit Committee, and contributed to the Finance and Administration and Academic and Student Success Committees.

Beyond his board service, Peter’s dedication to legal education is evident through his involvement with the University of Houston Law Alumni Association, the advisory board of the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law at the University of Houston Law Center, and his role as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center in 2012.

Peter’s contributions extend beyond the legal realm, as he has lent his expertise to debate preparation for candidates running for President and the U.S. Senate.

Peter is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and is admitted to practice in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas.

Peter and his wife Diane Johnson Taaffe are the parents of four children.

Education:

B.A., 1993, University of Texas at Austin

J.D., with honors, 1997, University of Houston Law Center

Prior Employment:

United States District Judge Joe J. Fisher,

Gardere, Wynne, Sewell & Riggs

Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison

Keith & Weber

Dubois, Bryant & Campbell

The Buzbee Law Firm

Areas of Practice: 

I have handled and will mediate cases involving the following subject matters: 

Commercial Vehicle and Auto Accidents

Workplace Accidents

Industrial Accidents

Jones Act/Maritime injuries and death

Breach of Contract

Probate Disputes

Dram Shop Claims

Sexual Assault Claims

Insurance Coverage

Premises Liability Claims

Employment Claims

Medical Malpractice

Professional Liability

Construction and Real Estate Disputes

Toxic tort - Chemical Exposure Claims

Mass Tort Actions

Intellectual Property Disputes