Peter Kelly-Smith

Peter Kelly-Smith is a Milwaukee attorney at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP, whose practice focuses on personal injury and civil rights law matters. His work includes auto accidents, bike accidents, defective products, wrongful death, and other injury claims. He brings prior experience in civil rights and criminal litigation to his current representation of injured individuals. His background as a judicial clerk gives him insight into how courts evaluate cases throughout the litigation process.

Peter earned his B.A. in Legal Studies and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing a double major. He later received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, with a concentration in Criminal Justice. His education combined legal studies, psychology, criminal justice, and formal training in research, writing, and advocacy.

Peter worked as a paralegal in the Criminal Litigation Unit of the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office before law school. During law school, he gained experience with the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. He worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and Federal Defenders for the District of Minnesota. After graduation, he clerked for Judges Daniel Moreno, Elise Larson, and Pamela Pepper. Those clerkships included trial, appellate, and federal court experience.

Peter Kelly-Smith has been admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar since 2022. He is admitted to the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. His professional memberships include the Wisconsin Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. His practice reflects a combination of injury litigation, civil rights work, and judicial clerkship experience. He represents clients from the Milwaukee office in matters involving serious injuries, constitutional rights, and wrongful death claims.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
• Member, Wisconsin Association for Justice
• Member, American Association for Justice

Licensed State

• Wisconsin

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges