Peter Irvine

Peter Irvine JD ’02 was awarded the Massachusetts Bar Association Community Service Award on September 28, 2017. The award recognizes Irvine’s ongoing effort to provide access to legal services for artists, elders, tenants, and other underserved individuals. After a career as a professional musician, most notably in the band Cordelia’s Dad, Irvine became an attorney specifically to assist those creative professionals who have difficulty understanding, dealing with, or negotiating their legal needs. He has been providing pro bono or reduced-fee services to individuals and communities in need through the free Hampshire Elder Law Program (H.E.L.P.) and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in Massachusetts. Irvine also volunteers as a housing court lawyer, represents transgender individuals in discrimination cases, and works for reduced fees for nonprofit organizations such as local arts and theatre groups, including the Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Community.

Peter Irvine JD ’02 has a small-town general practice in Northampton, Massachusetts—but with a twist. In addition to handling real estate, criminal defense, small business advising, and other typical matters, Irvine also practices entertainment law, acts as a music manager, and tours with his own band. Playing percussion and singing with Tim Eriksen and the Trio de Pumpkintown has taken him to Singapore and various parts of the United States, including Portland’s Alberta Rose Theatre. The group is recording an album for release in 2015.