Peter Kraus’ Lifelong Tie to UT Southwestern-St. Paul Continues With Servant-Leadership and Philanthropy
DALLAS – Peter Kraus’ connection to UT Southwestern University Hospital-St. Paul began at birth. Kraus, a founding partner of Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, is the son of the late William Kraus, M.D.
The elder Kraus was a beloved physcian and Harvard-trained cardiologist who began his illustrious career at St. Paul Hospital in the 1950’s – at one point, converting a linen supply closet into one of the first cardiac catheterization labs in Dallas. A soft-spoken, compassionate man who was always at the leading edge of technology, Dr. Kraus helped to build the institution’s heart program into one of the nation’s most respected centers of excellence for cardiovascular care.
Peter Kraus has witnessed the institution’s rise first hand – not only as a physcian’s son, but also as volunteer, summer orderly, and now, as both benefactor and chairman of the St. Paul Medical Foundation.
Kraus explained, “UT Southwestern-St. Paul has played a central role in my life since before I can rember. And Dad was an incredible role model. It’s just natural to continue his legacy of servant-leadership to continue the good work that is done every day at this institution.”
Kraus was elected to the board of the St. Paul Medical Foundation in 2003. He was appointed the foundation’s chairman last year, and is currently at the midpoint of a two-year term. Over the last year, he has spearheaded the foundation’s efforts to successfully raise in excess of two million dollars for the hospital’s Heart-Lung Program, and also helped to establish the Mesothelioma Treatment and Research Program at UT Southwestern with a $250,000 grant – a gift of Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel. The firm is also a longtime supporter of Transplant Tee, an annual golf tournament that benefits heart and lung transplant recipients at University Hospital-St. Paul.
Like his father, Kraus is driven by the desire to make a difference in patients’ lives. “As a physician’s son and through my work as an attorney, especially with families living with the devastation of mesothelioma, I know that making a positive impact in life is all about taking notice, getting involved, and seeing things through. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do so. And I know my father would be pleased.”
About Peter A. Kraus
Peter Kraus is a founding partner of Water & Kraus, LLP, as well as the firm’s managing partner. A native of Dallas, Texas, he earned a Bachelor of Arts 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., but has focused his practice on toxic torts and pharmaceutical injury litigation.
Kraus has been recognized as one of the best lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine, and as one of the best lawyers in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He has also been elected by his peers for membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. Kraus has more that 25 individual asbestos and pharmaceutical verdicts to his credit, including serveral of the largest ever awarded.
Kraus is an ardent supporter of plaintiff’s rights, and has frequently lobbied Congress on behalf of asbestos litigants and has testified before the Texas Legislature on behalf of asbestos victims. Licensed to practice in Texas and Virginia, Kraus is also a member of the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Public Justice, and the Dallas Bar Association. Additionally, he serves as chairman of the St. Paul Medical Foundation, the philanthropic arm of University of Texas Southwestern Medical School-St. Paul, located in Dallas.
About St. Paul Medical Foundation
With roots going back to 1964, the St. Paul Medical Foundation works to advance, through philanthropy, excellent and innovative patient care at UT Southwestern University Hospital – St. Paul, while honoring the facility’s heritage of ministering to the under served through medical care.
About Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is a plaintiff’s firm concentrating on complex product liability and personal injury/wrongful death cases. The firm’s diverse practice includes toxic tort litigation, pharmaceutical product liability, malpractice and negligence, and consumer product liability, as well as qui tam (whistle-blower), employment and labor, insurance and commercial litigation. With offices in Texas, California, and Maryland, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has litigated cases in jurisdictions across the United States on behalf of individuals from all 50 states, as well as foreign governments.