Peter Kesling

Peter Kesling, Bankruptcy Attorney in Tacoma, Washington

Over 27 years of legal practice · focused on Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, and Dog Bites

MemberatTalbot & Kesling

Tacoma, WA

Practicing bankruptcy in Tacoma since 1999.

27+
Years practicing
1
Bar admission

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Quick answer

Peter Kesling is a member based in Tacoma, WA. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, and Dog Bites. Peter has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Talbot & Kesling.

Based in
Tacoma, WA
Experience
over 27 years
Known for
Bankruptcy · Car Accidents · Dog Bites
  • Handles Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, and Dog Bites matters from Tacoma, WA.
  • Over 27 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

About Peter Kesling: Peter Kesling is a member based in Tacoma, WA. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, and Dog Bites. Peter has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Talbot & Kesling.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Peter takes on

Peter concentrates on bankruptcy, car accidents, dog bites, general, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Peter handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Bankruptcy cases in Tacoma, Washington

Peter takes bankruptcy matters in Tacoma, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Peter agrees to represent you.

Car Accidents cases in Tacoma, Washington

Peter takes car accidents matters in Tacoma, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Peter agrees to represent you.

Dog Bites cases in Tacoma, Washington

Peter takes dog bites matters in Tacoma, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Peter agrees to represent you.

General cases in Tacoma, Washington

Peter takes general matters in Tacoma, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Peter agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Tacoma, Washington

Peter takes litigation matters in Tacoma, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Peter agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Peter Kesling — bankruptcy lawyer in Tacoma

Peter Kesling is a member based in Tacoma, WA. The practice focuses on Bankruptcy, Car Accidents, and Dog Bites. Peter has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Talbot & Kesling.

Peter Kesling was born for litigation. He is smart and tenacious. He also has supreme communication skills. Peter is known as a lawyer who will get things done, and his clients know they are in good hands. As Bill noted in his kind review, Peter really cares about his clients and is passionate about good results.

Peter knows how insurance companies work, and he knows how to get excellent results for injured clients. He started his career on "the dark side" representing defendants and insurance companies against injury claims. He never really enjoyed representing the interests of corporations. He cares about people. However, the defense work was fast and voluminous. He was often in Court. He learned a lot about litigation from highly successful trial lawyers. Most importantly, he learned how insurance companies work, and this is knowledge he has taken and used for the benefit of representing injured people. He has represented clients from rear-end matters involving relatively minor injuries to matters involving catastrophic injuries, seven-figure damages, and complex liability issues.

Peter is driven. He graduated from the Seattle University School of Law in 1999, and passed the bar examination right away. By 2004, he was a partner in a local law firm, which would come to be known as Sloan Bobrick and Kesling. In 2008, Peter went out on his own, starting his own firm. He has also owned other successful businesses. He truly believes that in business, like in advocating for clients, success does not come through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.

Peter J. Kesling is a true Puget Sound native. He was born at Madigan Medical Center on what is now Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, and grew up in nearby Gig Harbor. He graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory High School. He attended Santa Clara University in California, but transferred and received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He completed his education with a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law in 1999. He has practiced law in South Puget Sound ever since.

Peter limits his practice to plaintiff's personal injury litigation. He has effectively appeared for clients in cases in State Courts and Federal Courts of Western Washington. He has also represented clients before hearings officers and judges in several Federal and State Administrative Agencies. Peter is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington State Association for Justice, and the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, and he is licensed to practice in any court in the State of Washington as well as the Western District of Washington Federal District Court.

Peter lives on a ranch in the wilds of Pierce County with his lovely wife Katherine. He is an avid, albeit bad, golfer and also thoroughly enjoys fly-fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports. He and his family are also heavily involved in the sport of wrestling; Peter has coached collegiate wrestling to youth for about 12 years.

How Peter handles bankruptcy matters

Peter Kesling was born for litigation. He is smart and tenacious. He also has supreme communication skills. Peter is known as a lawyer who will get things done, and his clients know they are in good hands. As Bill noted in his kind review, Peter really cares about his clients and is passionate about good results. Peter knows how insurance companies work, and he knows how to get excellent results…

The kind of cases Peter takes

Peter reviews new inquiries case-by-case for bankruptcy, car accidents, and dog bites matters in Tacoma and the surrounding Washington area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • Seattle University School of Law

    J.D. · 1999

  • University of Puget Sound

    B.A. · 1995

Jurisdictions

Peter's state bar admissions

  • Washington

    1999 · ACTIVE

Peter studied at J.D. in Seattle University School of Law and B.A. in University of Puget Sound.

Law school and academic background

Peter completed J.D. in Seattle University School of Law and B.A. in University of Puget Sound. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Peter runs in Washington is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Locations

Peter Kesling's office in Tacoma

Peter's primary office is at 5005 Center Street, Suite E, Tacoma, WA, 98409. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Talbot & Kesling

5005 Center Street, Suite E

Tacoma, WA 98409

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Peter Kesling

Peter has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Peter Kesling — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new bankruptcy attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Peter usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Peter charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Peter's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Peter will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a bankruptcy attorney in Tacoma, Washington

A short list to run through before you commit: How many bankruptcy matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Peter

Peter discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in bankruptcy practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every bankruptcy matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Peter confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Peter's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many bankruptcy practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Peter Kesling

  • How much does it cost to hire Peter for a bankruptcy case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Peter walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Peter offer a free consultation?

    Peter charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Peter's office. Some bankruptcy attorneys offer free consults — check Peter's current terms during booking.

  • How long do bankruptcy cases in Washington typically take?

    Simple bankruptcy matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Peter gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Peter take my case if I'm outside Tacoma?

    Peter is licensed in Washington. Matters governed by Washington law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Peter will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Peter?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Peter will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Peter accepting new bankruptcy clients right now?

    Peter's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Bankruptcy attorneys serving Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane in Washington

Peter handles bankruptcy matters throughout Washington. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified bankruptcy attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Peter's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these bankruptcy attorneys in Tacoma handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.