People
Cole Bendow

Cole A. Benbow

Senior Associate
(415) 995-5128

Intro

Cole is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate & Environment Section, serving the firm’s clients in an array of matters, with a focus on real estate and commercial disputes, as well as toxic tort/product liability claims.  He has experience in all phases of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, from pre-litigation strategy through trial.  Cole is a skilled negotiator and courtroom advocate, focusing on achieving favorable resolutions through strategic litigation.

Outside of his practice, Cole is dedicated to providing pro bono services, and has performed work on behalf of domestic violence survivors, wildfire victims during the insurance claim process, low-income tenants facing eviction, and minors during immigration/asylum/guardianship proceedings.  Cole also serves on the Board of Directors for the Marin County Bar Association.

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 is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate & Environment Section, serving the firm’s clients in an array of matters, with a focus on real estate and commercial disputes, as well as toxic tort/product liability claims.  He has experience in all phases of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, from pre-litigation strategy through trial.  Cole is a skilled negotiator and courtroom advocate, focusing on achieving favorable resolutions through strategic litigation.

Outside of his practice, Cole is dedicated to providing pro bono services, and has performed work on behalf of domestic violence survivors, wildfire victims during the insurance claim process, low-income tenants facing eviction, and minors during immigration/asylum/guardianship proceedings.  Cole also serves on the Board of Directors for the Marin County Bar Association.

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

Marin County Bar Association, Board Member

California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2019–2025)

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)