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Peter A. Kraus

Founding Partner

Peter Kraus is a founding and managing partner of Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel. A native of Dallas, Texas, Peter earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Texas. He began his career as a commercial litigator in Washington, D.C., and has since focused his practice on toxic torts, False Claims Act whistleblower cases, and pharmaceutical injury litigation. He has tried numerous asbestos, benzene exposure, and pharmaceutical cases to verdict in state and federal courts across the country, including many multimillion-dollar verdicts. He is an ardent supporter of consumer and victims’ rights, having testified before the Texas Legislature and frequently lobbied Congress on behalf of asbestos litigants. Peter also serves on several asbestos bankruptcy creditor and trustee advisory committees. He is involved in steering committees for both U.S. and Texas asbestos multidistrict litigation, and has served on the ABA Commission on Asbestos litigation. In January 2020, he was appointed by Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to serve a second 5-year term on the board of the Federal Judicial Center Foundation. Licensed to practice law in Texas, California, Hawaii, Missouri, and Virginia, Peter has been elected for membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates by his peers. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the latest Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© magazine for his work on behalf of plaintiffs in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation from 2016 through 2022. He has received this recognition for four consecutive years beginning in 2016. Peter has also been recognized on the D Magazine “Best Lawyers in Dallas” list and the Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers® list repeatedly over the last 20 years.

Peter is active in the community, particularly in the areas of education, medicine, and the legal profession. He is the former chairman of the boards of the Greenhill School and the St. Paul Medical Foundation. He is a current board member of the Southwestern Medical Foundation, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, and public radio and television station KERA. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice and the board of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. He formerly served on the board of Public Justice, a public interest law firm that he and the firm continue to support. He also formerly served his alma mater as a member of the Duke University Annual Fund executive committee. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and The National Trial Lawyers: Top 10 Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association, an invitation-only honor.

Peter A. Kraus: A look at ADL Larry Schoenbrun Jurisprudence Award Recipient

The Larry Schoenbrun Jurisprudence Award is presented annually by ADL Texoma to a member of the legal community for outstanding leadership, exemplary contributions to the community, and a commitment to the ideals of the Anti-Defamation League.

Peter Kraus

Peter A. Kraus

  • P: 214.357.6244
  • F: 214.357.7252
  • E: Email Us

Areas of Practice

  • Asbestos Litigation
  • Toxic Tort
  • Pharmaceutical Litigation
  • Medical Device Litigation
  • False Claims Act Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation

Pro Bono & Community Service

  • KERA Board of Directors, 2019-Present
  • Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
    • Board Member, 2018-Present
  • Greenhill School
    • Chairman, Board of Trustees, 2012-2014
    • Board of Trustees, 2008-2017
  • Southwestern Medical Foundation
    • Board of Trustees, 2011-Present
  • St. Paul Medical Foundation, 2004-2016
    • Chair, Foundation Board, 2006-2008
  • Duke University Annual Fund Executive Committee, 2007-2014
  • Major Sponsor, Dallas Area Volunteer Program, 2004-2011
  • Lead Donor, Dallas Area Volunteer Program, 2001, 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Hawaii, 2018
  • Missouri, 2013
  • California, 2011
  • Texas, 1992
  • Virginia, 1985
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1986
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1986
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2001
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, 2013
  • U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii, 2019

Education

  • University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas J.D., 1985
  • Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, A.B., 1982

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • American Association for Justice
    • Board of Governors, 2011-Present
    • Budget Committee, 2010-Present
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Public Justice Foundation
  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Hawaii
  • State Bar of Missouri
  • Virginia Bar Association
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association
    • Executive Committee, Board of Directors
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Dallas Bar Foundation
    • Baker Clerkship Committee, 2012
  • Dallas Trial Lawyers Association

Honors & Awards

  • Member, Top 10 Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association, The National Trial Lawyers, 2020-Present
  • Recipient, ADL Larry Schoenbrun Jurisprudence Award, 2022
  • Recipient, Above and Beyond Award, American Association for Justice, 2017
  • Kristi Couvillon Pro Bono Award, Texas Civil Rights Project, 2016
  • Selected for recognition on the Best Lawyers in America© list, produced and published by Best Lawyers©, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Appointed to Federal Judicial Center Foundation Board, 2014-2019, 2020-Present
  • Selected for recognition on the “Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers” list, produced by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® and published by ALM Media Properties, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • American Association for Justice “David S. Shrager President’s Award,” 2012
  • American Association for Justice “Heavy Lifting” Award, 2010, 2011
  • Selected for recognition on the Texas Super Lawyers list, published by Thomson Reuters, Legal, 2003-2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Selected for recognition on the Best Lawyers in Dallas” list in D Magazine, published by D Magazine Partners, 2001, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • AV® Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0, Martindale-Hubbell Featured Peer Review Rated Lawyer
  • 2018 Patron Member of Public Justice

Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, American Board of Trial Advocates

NTL Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association Top 10 Trial Lawyers

Peter Kraus, 2021 Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent for Highest Level of Professional Excellence award

Publice Justice 2018 Patron Member

Peter A. Kraus
Rated by Super Lawyers


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Peter A. Kraus
Rated by Super Lawyers


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What are my chances?

That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win. That’s why we’ve taken more mesothelioma trials to verdict than any other firm. And that’s why we’ve recovered more than $1.3 billion for clients like you. Do you think you have a case? Contact us now to speak with an attorney.

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