Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs

8 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Individuals Civil Rights Law Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Madison.

Biography

I learned the value of hard work growing up on a dairy farm, and it stuck with me. I have always loved to learn and did well in school, graduating from UW Madison, where I received my law degree in 1993. I have been a partner at Gingras, Cates & Luebke since 2000. My practice areas include whistleblower cases, employment law, civil rights, professional malpractice, personal injury and family law.

I was raised to care deeply about the welfare of others, and that value is reflected in the work I do as a lawyer. I love helping people with their problems, whether it be a mistreated employee, an injured driver, or someone brave enough to draw attention to wrongdoing who then faces retaliation because of that bravery. My professional and no-nonsense style has earned me the respect of my opponents and the legal community. I have also given back to my community, having served on city council, school board, the police commission and my church’s stewardship committee.

But I am most proud of being a husband and father. I married my wife in 1998, and we now have three school-aged children. Sometimes I think they have taught me more than I have taught them. Like me, they love ice hockey. Unlike me, they are good at it – I can barely skate. But I love going to the rink every weekend from October through early March to watch them, even if it means driving to Eagle River in February.

Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs

8 Best Lawyers awards

Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs logo

Overview

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, B.A. , graduated 1990

  • Wisconsin, U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin, U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
  • Wisconsin, 1993

  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • City of Middleton Common Council - Member
  • City of Middleton, Police Commission - Member
  • Dane County Bar Association - Member
  • Middleton Cross Plains Area School District School Board - Member
  • Middleton/Cross Plains Area School District Board - Member
  • St Luke Lutheran Church - Chair of the Stewardship Committee
  • State Bar of Wisconsin - Member
  • Wisconsin Association for Justice - Member
  • Wisconsin, U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin, U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
  • Wisconsin, 1993
  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • City of Middleton Common Council - Member
  • City of Middleton, Police Commission - Member
  • Dane County Bar Association - Member
  • Middleton Cross Plains Area School District School Board - Member
  • Middleton/Cross Plains Area School District Board - Member
  • St Luke Lutheran Church - Chair of the Stewardship Committee
  • State Bar of Wisconsin - Member
  • Wisconsin Association for Justice - Member
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, J.D., graduated 1993
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, B.A. , graduated 1990

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Employment Law - Individuals
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Madison (2026)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Madison (2024)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Madison (2018)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyer – 2009 - 2015
  • Wisconsin Rising Star – 2006 - 2007
  • Best Lawyers in America - 2016 - Employment Law - Individuals

Additional Information

  • Favorite Quote
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender.” -- Winston Churchill.
  • Favorite Sports Team
UW Badger Men and Women’s Hockey

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