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Benjamin Jacob Coughlan
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About Benjamin
Biography
Ben Coughlan is a first-chair trial lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for individuals going through the toughest times of their lives. He chose to start this firm to provide every single client with personal attention. Ben believes that personal attention, and creativity on cases, are what achieve the best results for clients. Ben believes his job is to tell each client's story as he or she sees it, not as others might see it. To do that, he believes in spending the time to get to know every client personally so he can best understand not only how to get the largest financial result, but also how to take as much stress as possible off the client throughout the process.
Ben is known in San Diego, and throughout Southern California, for handling some of the very biggest and most high-profile cases. With a decade of experience litigating and trying catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, employment, medical malpractice, toxic exposure and whistleblower (qui tam) cases, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge to every case. In addition to his experience litigating, Ben is an adjunct professor at University of San Diego School of Law and an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) in both the Trial Skills and Depositions Skills programs. Ben is the President of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD)– the Plaintiff’s Bar for all of San Diego. Prior to his term as CASD President, he served as the editor of the Tort Law section of the Trial Bar News.
Ben has a sub-specialty in brain injury and spinal injury cases. He is the immediate past Vice President of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation, and regularly works to support brain injury survivors in his free time. He is also a published author in the field of Brain Injuries, having co-authored and edited “A Journey Towards Recovery: A Brain Injury Guide for Survivors.” He is regularly asked to speak about brain injuries around the country to lawyers, medical professionals, survivors and their families.
Prior to becoming a lawyer Ben spent four years in the media relations department of the San Diego Padres. Ben received his juris doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law. He received his bachelors degree in journalism from Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois.
Ben was born and raised in San Diego. He lives with his wife Kathleen, son Jack (5) and daughter Mackenzie (3) in Solana Beach. Ben and his family love San Diego and believe it is their privilege to give back to their community. Jack and Mackenzie are fifth generation San Diegans on their mother’s side.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
60%
Business
10%
Defective and Dangerous Products
10%
Employment and Labor
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 13 years
State: California
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Benjamin online.
Benjamin Jacob Coughlan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Character & Conduct
Posted by mark | October 12, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Personal injury
Ben is and has been one of the most professional attorney I have met. He was extremely knowledgeable in the area of my injury and did everything possible to make sure I had the correct avenues for treatment. I would recommend Ben to anyone that has personal injuries.
Benjamin Jacob Coughlan's Lawyer Endorsements
"Ben is one of the most compassionate, caring and honest people I know. He is extremely knowledgeable in the law and is willing to go the distance, even if that means going to trial. He has won many many trials and is an expert in his craft. We need more people like Ben in our industry. Thank you for all that you do Ben."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ben came in on a case for us and ended up getting 4x more than we thought the case was worth. He has dedication that is unsurpassed. He really knows what he is doing and is as smart as they come. Being able to learn from a young go-getter like Ben is invaluable - Thanks Ben!"
"Ben is a great guy and a great lawyer. He and his team will take care of you. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ben is one of the brightest rising trial lawyer stars in San Diego. Well known for his brilliant trial advocacy skills, I would trust any client or trial to this outstanding lawyer. Ben is sure to be a household name!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Ben is an outstanding advocate. He is very knowledgable and will go above and beyond for his clients."
Kevin Retoriano
Personal injury lawyer
Deon Goldschmidt
Personal injury lawyer
Jonathan Mureen
Litigation lawyer
Sarah Havens
Personal injury lawyer
Christopher Walton
Personal injury lawyer
Dana Grimes
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Honorary Award, Brain Injury Association of California
2023
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2023
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2023
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers
2022
Chairman's Award, Brain Injury Association of California
2022
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers
2022
San Diego Power Players, Modern Luxury Magazine
2022
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2022
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyers Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2021
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyers Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2020
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2020
Rising Star Alumni Award, University of San Diego School of Law
2019
Super Lawyers Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2019
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
40 Under 40 Award, San Diego Metro Magazine
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyers Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
Best Attorneys in San Diego - Top 10 San Diego Attorney Overall, San Diego Metro Magazine
2017
Top 40 Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2016
10 Best Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Top Attorneys - Semi-Finalist, San Diego Daily Transcript
2015
"Best of the Bar", San Diego Business Journal
2014
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
2014
Top Attorneys - Semi-Finalist, San Diego Daily Transcript
2014
"Best of the Bar", San Diego Business Journal
2013
Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney, San Diego Daily Transcript
2013
Top Young Attorneys, San Diego Daily Transcript
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Editor-in-Chief, Trial Bar News
2020 - Present
Co-Founder/Partner, Coughlan & Vinel LLP
2018 - Present
Adjunct Professor, University of San Diego, School of Law
Associations
2023 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoImmediate-Past President
2022 - Present
Trial Bar NewsEditor-in-Chief
2022 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaBoard of Directors
2017 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoBoard of Directors
2016 - Present
University of San Diego School of LawAlumni Board of Directors
2015 - Present
Trial Bar News - Consumer AttorneysEditor - Torts Section
2015 - Present
National Institute for Trial AdvocacyInstructor
2015 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
2015 - Present
Hon. J. Clifford Wallace American Inn of CourtAssociate
2013 - Present
San Diego Brain Injury FoundationVice President/Board of Directors
2013 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoMember
2012 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2012 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
2022 - 2022
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoPresident
2021 - 2021
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoPresident-Elect
2013 - 2015
Hon. William B. Enright American Inn of CourtAssociate
Sample of Legal Cases
Janis v. WD-40, et al.
Education
N/A
Univ of San Diego SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
Northwestern Univ
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2018
California Brain Injury Association Medical-Legal Conference
Non-Cognitive Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
2017
Consumer Attorneys of California Annual Convention - San Francisco, CA
Always Be Closing - The ABC's of Trial
2017
CAOC Lake Tahoe COnvention
Traumatic Brain Injuries - Using CDC Documents at Trial
2016
Understanding and Presenting a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Presenting the Brain Injury Case
2015
TALC TALK: People Inspire People
Trial Lawyer Inspirations
2014
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Telling the Story
Traumatic Brain Injuries
2013
Sports Law Conference
Brain Injuries in Professional Sports
Publications
2021
Trial Bar News
Negligent Sexual Transmission of Disease: A Primer
2020
Trial Bar News
Anything but simple, the Taxation of Personal Injury Settlements and Judgments
2020
Trial Bar News
Understanding Pituitary Injuries in Brain Injury Cases
2020
Trial Bar News
10 Cases Every Trial Lawyer Should Know
2018
Trial Bar News
Pebley v. Santa Clara Organics, LLC – Court of Appeals Extends Bermudez ruling to Lien Treatment
2018
Trial Bar News
Keep it Confidential: How Dennis Rodman Changed the World of Personal Injury Lawsuits
2017
Trial Bar News
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so "Invisible Injury" - Part 1 - Representing a Survivor
2017
Trial Bar News
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so "Invisible Injury" - Part 2: Understanding and Combatting the Defense Positions
2017
Trial Bar News
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so "Invisible Injury" - Part 3: Imaging Techniques and their Admissibility
2016
Trial Bar News
"The Misunderstood World of Defamation Law"
2016
2016
2016
Trial Bar News
"We Recorded the Defense Medical Examination, Now What?"
2016
The Gavel (OCTLA)
"Mini-Opening Statements: Tested, Approved, Recommended - Rarely Used"
2015
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers