David Jeffrey Hark Coale

David Jeffrey Hark Coale

also known as Jeff Coale, D. Jeffrey Coale

4.9
Rating: 8.0

Licensed for 35 years

Car accident Lawyer at Emory, VA
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

PO Box 980, Emory, VA

About David

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-250 per hour

Contingency

33%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Virginia for 35 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1990

Emeritus

No misconduct found

Location

Jeff Coale, PLC Law Firm

PO Box 980, Emory, VA, 24327

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

David Jeffrey Hark Coale's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

34 Client Reviews

5 star (33)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Al | December 31, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Case Dismissed

I was cited with reckless driving for a minor accident in a rest stop on I-81 in Smyth Co. and needed local expertise, as I have never before had to appear in court and live 6 hours away in Northern Virginia. Mr. Coale was professional, prepared and well acquainted with the local process. He walked... me through the pretrial preparation and spent as much time as i needed to answer questions via email or over the phone. The case was dismissed with only $48 in court costs. I could not have had better representation and would recommend Mr. Coale without hesitation.

Posted by Jeffrey | June 27, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Mr. Coale excellent communicator, experienced counselor

Jeff Coale handled my case and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. I was charged with reckless driving which carries a heavy sentence if convicted. I needed an attorney to represent me. I live in SC. Mr. Coale was reassuring but not presumptuous about the likelihood of the court lowering... or even dropping the charge. He gave me clear steps to follow to provide him with materials to support his argument in court. I think that his fee is worth every penny I spent. I'd go to Mr. Coale again without hesitation if in a similar predicament. I highly recommend him.

Posted by Michael | June 5, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

High Dollar, Top Service

I paid 3x the price for Jeff’s help and received 5x the care — I also received an excellent outcome by doing a lot of preemptive work per Jeff’s recommendation. If you can afford his experience, knowledge, and help — I would be shocked if you’re anything but fully satisfied with his end of things. ...I felt that Jeff worked for my best interest and because of his many years of experience and reputation within the local courts in SW VA he made it look easy. Should I need legal help again in SW VA Jeff’s office will be my first phone call.

Posted by anonymous | October 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Successful dismissal

My 19-year-old son was driving through Virginia when he was pulled over and arrested for possession of marijuana. I contacted Jeff. During the initial phone call, Jeff took the time to speak with me thoroughly. He gave me best and worst case scenarios while reassuring me about the disappointing situa...tion my son got himself into. Jeff remained professional and attentive throughout the life of the case. He was knowledgeable and able to answer all of my questions promptly. Fortunately, Jeff was able to resolve my sons legal matter with dismissal of all charges. I would highly recommend Jeff Coale for legal services.

Posted by Joao | September 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommended!

Retained Jeff's services for a speeding ticket (reckless driving) in VA. Due to a hearing impairment, communication was, at my request, limited to email. Not a problem! Jeff accommodated my needs, something not everyone these days is willing to do. Communication as clear, emails were promptly answere...d, and the result was as expected. I was in Florida the day I was supposed to show up at court and would have been impossible for me to just be there. I am sure the outcome would have been very different had I not retained Jeff's services! Highly recommended!

See All Client Reviews

David Jeffrey Hark Coale's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Thomas A Pavlinic headshot
Thomas Pavlinic

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  8.0 (Excellent)

Honors

1990

Order of the Coif, Washington and Lee University School of Law

1989

Herbert S. Larrick Scholar, Washington and Lee University School of Law

1988

American Jurisprudence Awards, Washington and Lee University School of Law

1985

Victor S. Armbrister Award, Emory and Henry College

1985

Thomas Jefferson Award, Jefferson Society

1982

Emory and Henry Scholar, Emory and Henry College

Work Experience

2004 - Present

Managing Member, Jeff Coale, PLC

1999 - 2003

Commonwealth's Attorney, Washington County, Virginia

1998 - 1999

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney, Washington County, Virginia

1995 - 1998

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Washington County, Virginia

1990 - 1995

Attorney, White Bundy McElroy Hodges & Sargent; White Elliott & Bundy

1985 - 1987

Officer and Tactical Team Member, James City County Virginia Police Department

Associations

1990 - Present

Virginia State Bar

Member

1990 - Present

Washington County Bar Association

Member

1999 - 2003

Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys

Member

1990 - 1995

Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

confidential

I collected $6.25 million for my client.

B. E. P. v Merck & Co., Inc.

I collected $219,325.18 for my client.

Commonwealth of Virginia v R. T. D.

Case dismissed on motion to strike.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1990

Washington and Lee University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor magna cum laude

1985

Emory and Henry College

BA - Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude

Speaking Engagements

2010

Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

The Child Witness in Sexual Abuse Cases

2009

Virginia Sentencing Commission and Virginia State Bar

Ethics in Sentencing

2003

various local law enforcement agencies

Update in Criminal Procedure

2003

Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Counsel

Faculty Member Trial Advocacy Program

2002

Washington County, Virginia Schools

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)

2001

Southwest Law Enforcement Academy

Role of the Commonwealth's Attorney

2000

Bristol Optimist Club

Respect for Law Enforcement

1998

Victims' Rights Day

Victims' Rights

1998

Southwest Law Enforcement Academy

Courtroom Demeanor

1997

Emory & Henry College

Role of the Prosecutor in Society

1994

Virginia Continuing Legal Education

Bridge the Gap Seminar

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution