Home - Blank Rome LLP

Register to receive insights and analyses on breaking news and trends across varying industries.
<a class="link-primary mt-4" href="/subscribe">Subscribe</a>

Philadelphia, PA

New York, NY

Wilmington, DE

Cincinnati, OH

Princeton, NJ

Los Angeles, CA

Houston, TX

Tampa, FL

Shanghai

West Palm Beach, FL

Pittsburgh, PA

Washington, D.C.

Chicago, IL

Orange County, CA

Dallas, TX

Boston, MA

Blank Rome is pleased to share that partners <a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/christopher-j-petersen/">Christopher J. Petersen</a>, vice chair of the firm’s Business Litigation group, and <a href="https://www.blankrome.com/people/joseph-m-welch/">Joseph M. Welch</a> have been named <a href="https://www.latimes.com/b2b/magazines/may-2026">2026 Legal Visionaries</a> by LA Times Studios, as featured in the May 2026 edition of its Business Magazine.

core/paragraph

The Legal Visionaries distinction recognizes attorneys who stand out for their exceptional legal skill, strong results, and unwavering commitment to their clients, their craft, and the communities they serve. These honorees exemplify a forward-thinking approach to the practice of law, advancing both the profession and those who depend on it. Each recipient is highlighted with an individual profile showcasing their career achievements and contributions.

Blank Rome is also pleased to share that the firm was recognized among the Top 125 law firms by LA Times Studios in the same issue.

To view the May 2026 edition of the Business Magazine, please click <a href="https://www.latimes.com/b2b/magazines/may-2026">here</a>.

core/separator

Christopher's and Joseph's honoree profiles, as published in Business Magazine, are copied in full below.

Christopher Petersen Partner, Vice Chair, Business Litigation Blank Rome LLP Southwestern Law School Litigation

Partner and Vice Chair of the Business Litigation practice group at Blank Rome LLP Christopher Petersen leads high-stakes real estate disputes and trust conflicts across the Southern California region. He is an exceptional litigator who has tried or arbitrated more than 30 cases since joining the firm in 2013, including securing a multi-million-dollar judgment against one of the state’s largest property developers. Petersen’s technical expertise extends to probate litigation where he successfully represented co-trustees in sensitive disputes involving estates valued at over $10 million. He further shapes the future of the legal profession as a former adjunct professor teaching civil pretrial practice to aspiring trial lawyers. He remains committed to community service by providing pro bono representation to parents navigating the adoption process and guardianship of at-risk minors.

Joseph Welch Partner, Finance Blank Rome LLP Loyola Law School Bankruptcy

Joseph Welch is a partner in the finance practice at Blank Rome LLP who specializes in complex restructurings and high-stakes agribusiness insolvency litigation. He acts as a primary advisor to Fortune 100 lenders and agricultural leaders while navigating multi-million-dollar secured lending transactions across the California market. This expertise in supply chain disruption allowed him to design an elegant intercreditor agreement for a $60-million annual revenue tomato grower to prevent hostile foreclosure. Deploying this tactical precision, Welch represented personal injury plaintiffs in the Western Concrete Pumping bank-ruptcy to eliminate third-party releases for insiders and maximize victim recoveries. Such results include serving as lead counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors during the HyreCar restructuring to preserve asset pools for stakeholders.

Christopher J. Petersen and Joseph M. Welch Named 2026 Legal Visionaries by LA Times Studios

Offices

Stay Connected

Slide Menu

Slide Search

Christopher J. Petersen and Joseph M. Welch Named 2026 Legal Visionaries by LA Times Studios

Offices

Stay Connected