People
Cole Bendow

Cole A. Benbow

Associate
415-995-5128

Intro

Cole focuses his practice on environmental litigation and investigations, including those related to government enforcement actions. Cole has extensive experience litigating environmental matters in state and federal courts, as well as in private arbitration. Cole also has experience with a prominent number of environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Cole also represents clients in connection with enforcement and compliance under California’s Proposition 65, and routinely works with clients to identify and evaluate Proposition 65 liabilities and risks.

Cole is also committed to providing pro bono legal services, including representation in domestic violence, unlawful detainer, and asylum proceedings.

Education

J.D. University of San Francisco School of Law ( 2016 )
B.A. Michigan State University ( 2008 )

Academic Distinction

CALI Award for the Highest Grade in the Class: Evidence, Bankruptcy, ERISA (Employee Benefits)

USF Law Review, Forum Editor, (Volume 50), Junior Staff (Volume 49)

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Role

Intro

Cole focuses his practice on environmental litigation and investigations, including those related to government enforcement actions. Cole has extensive experience litigating environmental matters in state and federal courts, as well as in private arbitration. Cole also has experience with a prominent number of environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Cole also represents clients in connection with enforcement and compliance under California’s Proposition 65, and routinely works with clients to identify and evaluate Proposition 65 liabilities and risks.

Cole is also committed to providing pro bono legal services, including representation in domestic violence, unlawful detainer, and asylum proceedings.

Areas of Focus

Education

J.D. University of San Francisco School of Law ( 2016 )
B.A. Michigan State University ( 2008 )

Academic Distinction

CALI Award for the Highest Grade in the Class: Evidence, Bankruptcy, ERISA (Employee Benefits)

USF Law Review, Forum Editor, (Volume 50), Junior Staff (Volume 49)

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Represented global manufacturing company in 7-week arbitration to allocate investigation and remediation costs at industrial property regulated under RCRA and CERCLA

Represented federal contractor conducting Superfund site remediation in SF Bay Area

Represented engineers/design professionals in construction disputes

California State Bar Association

California Young Lawyers Association

Bar Association of San Francisco

San Francisco Barristers Club Litigation Section

California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2019–2021)

Judicial Intern to the Honorable Mary B. Barglind and the Honorable Richard Celello, 41st Circuit Court Michigan (2014)

"Parallel Proceedings in the Aftermath of Industrial Accidents," co-author, Chemical Engineering (August 2020)

"INSIGHT: Fluoridation Case Challenges EPA Chemical Evaluation," co-author, Bloomberg Law (August 2020)

"Recent Trends in EPA-Manufacturing Enforcement Actions," co-author, Industry Today (June 2020)