Atty. Robert J. Gingras
I founded our firm in Madison in 1989. It was just me and one legal assistant.
Civil Rights Law & More Attorney · Serving Madison, WI
Profile Summary
About Robert J. Gingras at a Glance
Robert J. Gingras is a personal injury, employment, and civil rights attorney based in Madison, Wisconsin, practicing at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs. Educated at University of Wisconsin–Madison (J.D., 1981) and University of Wisconsin–Madison (B.A., 1976). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Serves clients in Madison, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Robert J. Gingras
- I founded our firm in Madison in 1989
- It was just me and one legal assistant
- We now have three offices in the state with 12 lawyers and 19 great employees
- The firm has grown under the premise that we will do our best to help good people in need
- Our core values are hard work and honesty, and we are truly do have the most heart and caring for our clients
- These values that drive our firm are the same values I learned from my parents growing up in Minot, North Dakota
- I want to tell you why I practice law
- I take on difficult and complex cases for individuals and their families against the big corporations and insurance companies
- I do this because I want to equal the playing field and I want to help good people fight for what is rightfully owed to them
- In other words, I want to do what I can to right the wrongs in our world
- Whether it be sexual harassment in the workplace, or an insurance company denying a claim it should honor, or a drunk driver changing a family's life forever – nothing gives me greater satisfaction than cross-examining the perpetrator and either obtaining a favorable settlement or having a jury return a verdict that speaks the truth
- I am good at my job because I believe in what I do to make things right for my clients
- Education J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, cum laude, 1981 B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1976 Bar Admission Wisconsin, 1981 U.S
- District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin U.S
- District Court Western District of Wisconsin U.S
- Court of Appeals 7th Circuit U.S
- Supreme Court Professional Associations and Memberships Dane County Bar Association American Bar Association State Bar of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Association for Justice The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Susan G. Komen Madison Race for the Cure®, 2005 – 2011 - Immediate Past Chair - Chair Madison Mustangs Semi-Pro football team, Previous Owner Honors and Awards Multi-Million Advocates Forum, 2009 The Best Lawyers in Madison, Madison Magazine – since 1994 The Best Lawyers in America – since 1989 - Employment Law - Individuals - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Wisconsin Super Lawyer, 2006 – 2015 Successful Verdicts $50 million to classes of workers in five separate class and collective actions $5.3 million to the widow of a construction worker killed by an elevator in a construction accident $2.9 million awarded by a jury to the parents of a newborn infant who was injured during birth $2.5 million to a man was injured by a defective shotgun $1.0 million award from a jury to a bank customer for lender liability $1.0 million jury verdict to a woman who suffered sexual / gender discrimination $950,000 to the family of a man shot and killed by a police officer $800,000 to a woman victimized by sexual harassment at her job $775,000 to a mother who was wrongfully denied insurance disability benefits $750,000 to an elderly man for the misconduct of his own insurance company $475,000 to women victimized by sexual harassment by a Dane County Sheriff $135,000 settlement in a bike / car accident $450,000 to a private citizen in a First Amendment / whistleblower case against a county government $235,000 to a man subjected to racial discrimination $165,000 settlement in a water slide accident
Practice Areas Explained
Robert J. Gingras's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert J. Gingras handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Madison.
Personal Injury in Madison
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Robert J. Gingras is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Wisconsin →
Employment Law in Madison
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Robert J. Gingras is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Wisconsin →
Civil Rights in Madison
Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.
Robert J. Gingras is one of 69,634 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in Wisconsin →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Madison
Practicing law in Wisconsin. Legal matters in Wisconsin are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Madison are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Wisconsin state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Wisconsin brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Wisconsin courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Madison Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Madison-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Wisconsin attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Madison or all attorneys in Wisconsin.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Madison Choose Robert J. Gingras
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Robert J. Gingras's practice in the field of personal injury, employment, and civil rights.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering personal injury, employment, and civil rights, Robert J. Gingras can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Madison
A Madison-based practice means Robert J. Gingras attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Robert J. Gingras Handles in Madison
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Robert J. Gingras has experience with under Wisconsin law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Robert J. Gingras directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Robert J. Gingras's Practice Areas & Specializations
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