Full Biography for Peter K. Rundle

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Irvine Unified School District

PERSONAL

My wife Rhonda and I live in Northwood with our two young children, Sarah and David, ages 6 and 2. Rhonda is a high school Spanish teacher; Sarah is an active first grader at El Camino Real Elementary School with a talent for art and telling jokes; and David is a typical two-year old little boy -- fascinated by all the trucks, tractors and construction equipment he sees around the neighborhood.

I was born in Riverside, California and was raised in Long Beach, California where I attended public schools. I remember well my high school teacher, Mr. Mertz, who taught biology and marine biology. His mantras: "One of these days we've got to get organized" and "If all else fails, follow directions", ring in my ears and have served me well for more than twenty years. I am sure we can all recall similar motivational teachers.

At U.C. Irvine, I majored in Classics, which entailed studying Latin, Greek, ancient history, philosophy, etc. In 1982 I graduated from U.C. Irvine, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. I entered U.C. Hastings College of the Law (San Francisco) later that year and earned my law degree in 1985. After I passed the California bar examination in December, 1985, I began practicing law in Southern California.

PROFESSIONAL

I am an attorney in the Irvine office of Arter & Hadden LLP, a 155 year-old law firm with offices across the United States and affiliate offices in Europe. I represent individuals, businesses and financial institutions in a wide variety of matters, including real estate, commercial and business disputes.

I have, in the past, worked on a variety of legal matters for a school district in Northern California, including obtaining state funding for many of the district's federally mandated programs. In the course of my work, I analyzed and became quite familiar with the various statutes and regulations through which public education is funded. I have also dealt with several state agencies and departments in my efforts to obtain funding for the district's programs.

I am a member of the American, California and Orange County Bar Associations and for several years served as a delegate to the annual California State Bar Convention. I have volunteered my time to serve as an arbitrator to resolve disputes that arise between clients and their attorneys concerning legal fees, and currently serve as a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Amicus Briefs Committee.