On Monday, January 5, 2026, the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct cautioned attorney Peter Edward Giardino, Arkansas Bar No. 2012300, for professional misconduct in his representation of Victor Hugo Alvarez-Real. The committee, acting through Panel D, issued its findings and order after reviewing a formal complaint, Giardino’s response, and the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Peter Edward Giardino,” with case number 2025-013.
The case stems from Giardino’s representation of Alvarez-Real, who was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in the Second Degree and sentenced to 312 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, along with a $30,000 fine. Alvarez-Real initially filed a timely notice of appeal through his trial attorney, but Giardino was later appointed as appellate counsel.
The committee found that Giardino repeatedly failed to meet deadlines for filing the appellate brief. After being appointed in July 2018, Giardino requested and received multiple extensions. The final extension set the brief due date for December 2, 2018. Despite these extensions, Giardino failed to file the brief.
The Chief Deputy Clerk of the Arkansas Court of Appeals attempted to contact Giardino multiple times in January 2019, leaving messages and notifying him that the brief was overdue. In response, Giardino assured the clerk he would file a motion for a belated brief and the brief itself. However, neither was ever submitted.
As a result of Giardino’s inaction, the State filed a Motion to Dismiss the appeal, which was granted on February 20, 2019. Alvarez-Real subsequently filed a pro se Response to the Motion to Dismiss and a Rule 37 Petition, alleging he could not contact Giardino and was denied his right to appeal.
The Committee found Giardino violated Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2, and 8.4(d). These violations include failing to act with reasonable diligence, failing to expedite litigation, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
In addition to the caution, the Committee assessed costs of $150.00 and ordered Giardino to pay $4,000.00 in restitution for client fees paid for the appeal. These payments are due within thirty days of the filing of the order. The sanction was based, in part, on the attorney’s lack of any prior disciplinary record.
According to Avvo, Mr. Giardino acquired his law license in Arkansas in 2012.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
