Peter Gelblum worked as an actor in theater, film, and TV in New York and Los Angeles for several years, before turning to a career in law.  He spent his entire career at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP in Los Angeles, specializing in business litigation and trusts and estates litigation.  Key cases included representing the Goldman family in the O.J. Simpson civil trial, advocating for the RIAA in RIAA v. Napster, resolving ownership disputes over the artwork of Alberto Vargas, and litigating ownership rights to the Hotel del Coronado. In 2008, Peter relocated to the San Lorenzo Valley in Santa Cruz County, continuing to work with MSK until retiring in 2014.

After retiring, Peter returned to theater, serving as President of Mountain Community Theater in Ben Lomond, and directing and acting in many local productions. Peter has also been deeply committed to public service. In Los Angeles, he served on the boards of Inner City Law Center and Mental Health Advocacy Services for two decades. In Northern California, he spent ten years on the ACLU of Northern California’s Board and remains active as a member of its Legal Committee, as well as Chair of the Santa Cruz County Chapter.  In 2021, he created a verbatim documentary film about the 2020 CZU Lighting Complex Fires that forced him and his wife to evacuate from their home.