Peter Ketcham-Colwill, an associate in the Public Client practice, focuses on the representation of state attorneys general and other public-sector clients in investigations and lawsuits involving false claims and fraudulent and deceptive trade practices.
Prior to joining Cohen Milstein in 2018, Peter practiced as a litigation associate at an international disputes and transactions law firm in Washington, D.C. Before that, he served as the Voter Protection Director for the Democratic Party of Virginia’s 2018 Coordinated Campaign. He also worked as a Regional Voter Protection Director for the Ohio Democratic Party’s 2016 Coordinated Campaign.
Following law school, Peter served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable David Ezra, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. In law school, Peter was the senior executive editor of The George Washington Law Review.
Peter’s experience includes working for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. There he worked under then-Chairman Henry Waxman organizing investigative hearings and drafting legislation related to consumer protection and the environment, including an inquiry into the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Assisted with drafting an amicus brief on behalf of Equality Virginia in Vlaming v. West Point School Board
- Advised Human Rights Initiative of North Texas on available legal remedies to address exorbitant electric bill charges in the wake of the 2021 winter storm
- Peter works with Yorktown High School’s marching band program and co-directs the Arlington Indoor Percussion ensemble.
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D., Highest Honors, 2014
- Princeton University, A.B., 2009
Law Clerk, the Hon. David Ezra, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (2014 – 2015)
Current Cases
City of Chicago v. DoorDash, Inc., and Caviar, LLC
City of Chicago v. DoorDash, Inc., and Caviar, LLC (N.D. Ill.): Cohen Milstein represents the City of Chicago in this trailblazing lawsuit, which is the result of a comprehensive investigation directed by Chicago’s Department of Law and Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Chicago alleges that DoorDash deceives consumers—and unfairly harms restaurants and drivers—with misleading restaurant listings, fees, menu prices, and allocation of driver tips. Filed the same day as Chicago’s parallel action against Grubhub, the lawsuit aims to establish a fairer and more transparent marketplace for meal delivery in the city. Chicago’s lawsuits against DoorDash and Grubhub are the first comprehensive law enforcement actions against meal delivery companies in the United States.
The People of the State of California v. Grubhub Inc.
The People of the State of California v. Grubhub Inc., et al. (Calif. Sup. Crt., Los Angeles Cnty.): Los Angeles County, on behalf of the People of the State of California, has sued Grubhub for false advertising and violations of the California Unfair Competition Law. County Counsel’s Affirmative Litigation and Consumer Protection Division has retained Cohen Milstein to assist on the case.
- Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40: They’ve Got Next (2023)
February 22, 2024
Grubhub’s Business Is ‘Suffused With Deception,’ LA Says
Grubhub’s business is “suffused with deception,” Los Angeles County said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday, claiming the food delivery service has long misled customers about prices and driver benefits and imposed “abusive” policies on restaurants. The county accused Grubhub of false and deceptive advertising, misrepresentation and unfair business practices that harm consumers, delivery drivers and […]
In the News | Law360
February 22, 2024
L.A. County Accuses Grubhub of ‘Bait-and-Switch’ With Last-Minute Fees
L.A. County is suing Grubhub, alleging that the company violated state laws that prohibit false advertising. The price of the turkey on rye half-sandwich from Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant in Los Angeles, purchased through the delivery app Grubhub, starts around $17. But at checkout, the costs mount. With additional fees and sales tax, the cost of a […]
In the News | Los Angeles Times
February 22, 2024
LA County Sues Grubhub Alleging Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit yesterday against food delivery company Grubhub alleging false and deceptive advertising, misrepresentation and unfair business practices that financially harm consumers, delivery drivers and restaurants. “This lawsuit sends a clear message: Los Angeles County will not tolerate businesses that deceive consumers, take advantage of restaurants, and exploit […]
Press Releases | Los Angeles County, Office of the County Counsel
February 28, 2023
They’ve Got Next: State Attorneys General Fresh Face Peter Ketcham-Colwill
Name: Peter Ketcham-Colwill Firm: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll Claim to Fame: He helped shape a settlement with Uber in 2022 that returned more than $10 million to Chicago restaurants as part of the city’s investigation into excessive delivery fees. Location: Washington, D.C. Age: 35 In a town full of political junkies, Washington-based litigator Peter […]
In the News | Bloomberg Law
December 5, 2022
Uber Agrees to Pay $10 Million for Listing Chicago Restaurants Without Their Consent, Charging More Than Allowed
The City of Chicago has reached a $10 million settlement with Uber Technologies Inc. stemming from allegations that Uber Eats and Postmates listed restaurants on their platforms without consent, and that restaurants were charged more than legally allowed. Uber, which owns Postmates, and Chicago reached the deal after a two-year investigation by the city, the […]
In the News | MarketWatch
December 5, 2022
City of Chicago Reaches $10 Million Settlement with Uber Eats, Postmates
CHICAGO– Today, the City of Chicago announces that Uber has agreed to a settlement stemming from the City’s investigation into UberEats’ and Postmates’ practices of listing Chicago restaurants on their platforms without the restaurants’ consent, being in violation of the City’s emergency fee cap ordinance, and other advertising-related conduct. The City acknowledges Uber’s cooperation in […]
In the News
July 29, 2022
“Virginia School District Leaders Ask Court to Uphold Teacher Firing in Transgender Student Case”
School board members from five Virginia localities and Richmond’s schools superintendent have signed onto an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Virginia opposing a former teacher’s claim that he was unlawfully fired for violating his district’s anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. The brief, which was submitted by LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Virginia and more than […]
In the News | Virginia Mercury
July 28, 2022
Equality Virginia and Partners File Amicus Brief in Support of Transgender and Non-Binary Students in Virginia Schools
RICHMOND, VA – Last evening, Equality Virginia, the Commonwealth’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) equality, along with 35 partners and school board leaders across the Commonwealth, filed an amicus brief in support of transgender students in Virginia schools. The brief asks the Supreme Court of Virginia to uphold the […]
Press Releases
August 31, 2021
Chicago Seeks Restaurants Stories Detailing Experiences with DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats
The survey’s launch comes days after the city filed lawsuits against DoorDash and Grubhub Last week, the city of Chicago made headlines by filing twin lawsuits against Grubhub and DoorDash in accusing the food delivery companies of deceptive business practices. Now, the city is looking for anecdotes about restaurants and third-party couriers. The city has […]
In the News | EATER
August 30, 2021
Editorial: Grubhub, DoorDash Racket Needs Reform. The City of Chicago Was Right to Sue.
Imagine that you own a neighborhood restaurant with a loyal base of customers. It’s likely that you started offering delivery during the pandemic, when the state of Illinois required indoor dining to close, but maybe you chose to maintain your own website and hire your own trusted drivers so you could control the quality of […]
In the News | Chicago Tribune
August 27, 2021
Chicago Sues DoorDash and Grubhub for ‘Unfair and Deceptive’ Practices
Fake websites, unfair fees, and misleading tipping policies The city of Chicago has sued food delivery services DoorDash and Grubhub for allegedly using deceptive and unfair tactics that hurt restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic. The two lawsuits accuse the services of a panoply of misconduct, including falsely advertising delivery services for restaurants without their consent, […]
In the News | The Verge
August 27, 2021
City of Chicago Sues Food Delivery Services Grubhub and DoorDash for Alleged Deceptive Practices During Pandemic
The city of Chicago is suing Door Dash and Grubhub, alleging the food delivery services engaged in deceptive business practices during the pandemic, misleading consumers and harming restaurants. The lawsuits, filed separately Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, allege that as restaurants struggled and closed for indoor dining, DoorDash and Grubhub leveraged soaring demand for […]
In the News | Chicago Tribune
August 27, 2021
Chicago Sues Grubhub and DoorDash for Allegedly Scamming Basically Everyone: Restaurants, Drivers, and Customers
The lawsuits have been universally celebrated by restaurant owners who feel the companies have gaslit them throughout the pandemic The city of Chicago has filed separate lawsuits against Grubhub and DoorDash alleging the third-party delivery companies “engaged in deceptive practices to prey on its affiliated restaurants.” The lawsuits, filed today, August 27, in Cook County circuit […]
In the News | EATER
August 27, 2021
“DoorDash and Grubhub Sued by City of Chicago, Which Alleges Deceptive Fees and Predatory Practices,” MarketWatch
Stocks fall as Grubhub’s hometown city accuses food-delivery companies of experiencing ‘tremendous growth on the backs of restaurants and consumers’ during pandemic The city of Chicago filed a wide-ranging lawsuit against DoorDash Inc. and Grubhub Inc. on Friday, accusing the meal-delivery platforms of engaging in deceptive and predatory business practices. The lawsuit alleges the companies’ […]
In the News
August 27, 2021
City of Chicago Files Consumer Protection Lawsuits Against DoorDash and Grubhub for Engaging in Deceptive and Unfair Business Practices
Complaints allege that the meal delivery companies deceived consumers and shortchanged restaurants already reeling from the pandemic shutdown CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Acting Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Commissioner Kenneth Meyer, and Corporation Counsel Celia Meza today announced that the City of Chicago has filed two lawsuits against meal delivery giants Grubhub […]
Press Releases