F. Peter Silva, II

Peter Silva leads the firm’s civil rights, consumer protection, foreclosure defense, and employment law practices. He represents clients in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and at trial in state and federal courts and before various administrative agencies.

In 2013, in case of first impression in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Peter secured a summary judgment decision for his client, a homeowner, against a national mortgage lender for its concealment of a violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”). In 2016, Peter persuaded the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to deny defendant’s motion for summary judgment and adopt the Calllwood standard thereby increasing the protection for individuals discriminated against by retail establishments, or restaurants.

Peter also represents several entrepreneurs and everyday citizens trying to start a small business or not-for-profit organization. He works with the aspiring business owners or non-profit directors to bring their dream to a reality by establishing their identifying the proper formation for the entity and creating operating agreements for the owners or directors.

Prior to joining Gowen Rhoades Winograd & Silva, PLLC, Peter worked extensively in the civil rights field as an attorney fellow for the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and a law clerk with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the civil rights interest group, People for the American Way.

In his spare time, Peter enjoys the lifestyle of the Washington metropolitan area by playing softball, swimming, and biking.