Attorney David Peterson II will join Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co. as its general counsel and claims manager Nov. 1, it was announced Wednesday by Wolverine Mutual President James Laing. In his new positions, Peterson will be responsible for handling the company’s legal matters as well as managing the staff and proceedings of its claims department. “We are excited to welcome Dave to our management team,” said Laing. “He has excellent legal skills and significant experience in insurance claims, coverage and corporate issues. We have worked with him for many years and feel fortunate to be able to bring him in-house to help us continue to grow and to support our reputation of superior service to our agents and policyholders.”

Peterson will leave his private practice and partnership at the law firm Peterson, Cullitan and Peterson, PLC, St. Joseph. Peterson has been licensed to practice law since 1999.

He served from 2000-2003 in the U.S. Navy, where he earned the rank of lieutenant and was an attorney with the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps. In 2003 he began his private practice in St. Joseph specializing in insurance defense, municipal law, general civil litigation and workers’ compensation. Peterson earned a bachelor of science degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1996 and was awarded a juris doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, in 1999.

Peterson serves on the boards of directors for Curious Kids’ Museum, St. Joseph; Benton Harbor Fruit Market Inc., Benton Harbor; is a member of the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Rotary Club; and is a former board member of the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, Inc. He and his wife, Amy, have two children and reside in St. Joseph.