Education

B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
J.D., McGeorge School of Law

Biography

Professor Kim Peterson practiced as a litigation attorney for over 20 years in California and Wisconsin. She specialized in intellectual property and business litigation matters, handling cases involving patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, securities fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and employment discrimination issues.

While practicing in California, Professor Peterson began teaching legal writing at University of California-Davis as an adjunct professor. After moving to Wisconsin in 1996, she continued teaching legal research and writing at the University of Wisconsin Law School while practicing as a litigation attorney in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed Professor Peterson to be a referee in attorney discipline cases and she served in that capacity for over 15 years. Professor Peterson has heard misconduct cases involving trust account violations, conflicts of interest, lack of communication and fraud issues. She served on the committee that revised the Supreme Court's Benchbook for Referees and has served as a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Professional Responsibility Committee for six years.

In 2011, Professor Peterson began teaching legal research and writing at the University of Wisconsin Law school on a full-time basis and is currently co-director of the Legal Research and Writing program. She is also the director of University of Wisconsin’s mock trial program.

Professor Peterson received her undergraduate degree in history with a minor in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin and her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with great distinction. She is a member of the Order of the Coif and was Comment Editor and Associate Legislation Editor for the Pacific Law Journal.

Professor Peterson teaches Legal Research & Writing I and II; Advanced Legal Writing: Writing for Law Practice; Evidence; and Trial Advocacy. She is the co-director of the Law School’s Legal Research and Writing program and director of the Mock Trial program.