Phillip A. Cole / Retired
Former Areas of Practice: Legal Malpractice, Professional Liability, Medical Malpractice, Commercial Litigation, Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Shareholder/Owner Disputes, Wrongful Death
Phillip A. Cole / Biography
Before his retirement, Phil Cole used his extensive litigation experience in handling personal injury cases, commercial disputes, business torts, class actions, medical malpractice claims, and the defense of all types of claims brought against lawyers. Mr. Cole has been a frequent lecturer and a published author in the areas of trial strategies and professional liability subjects. Mr. Cole was a board certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy before retiring.
He has been a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and included on the civil neutrals rosters for both facilitative/hybrid and adjudicative/evaluative panels. Mr. Cole was selected as the Minneapolis Best Lawyers Legal Malpractice Lawyer of the Year for 2011 and as the Minneapolis Best Lawyers Legal Malpractice Lawyer-Defendants of the Year for 2014 and again in 2019. Cole, a member of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys until his retirement, was certified as a specialist in the litigation of both legal and medical professional liability claims (this national organization is not accredited by the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification).
Mr. Cole has also been recognized in the International Who’s Who, Who’s Who in American Law, the National Registry of Who’s Who, and as one of The Best Lawyers in America© by U.S. World & News Report. He has been repeatedly listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyer and has been listed as a Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer for over a dozen years. Before his retirement he was rated AV Preeminent® for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
- University of Maryland, B.A., 1961
- Georgetown University, J.D., 1964
News + Articles
Lommen Abdo Celebrates the Retirement of Keith Broady and Janice Hanson
This winter, Lommen Abdo bids a heartfelt farewell to two remarkable colleagues: Keith Broady and Janice Hanson, who recently retired after more than 40 years of service each. Their contributions, character, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting impact on the...
Can Spousal Maintenance Be Modified in Minnesota?
Spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, exists to address financial disparities that arise when a marriage ends. In many marriages, one spouse earns most or all of the household income while the other steps away from the workforce to raise children,...
THC at a Crossroads: Marijuana Rescheduling and the Federal Push to Rein in Hemp
The federal government is sending some very mixed signals on cannabis—and if you're in Minnesota's THC market, it's a moment that demands your full attention. On one side, there's momentum toward reclassifying marijuana under federal law, a move that...
2025 Appellate Year in Review
Lommen Abdo’s appellate team is continuing our annual tradition of recapping some of the most interesting cases we’ve handled this year. This year took us to the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota appellate courts and we obtained favorable results in...
Lommen Abdo Shares Holiday Cheer with Local Families Through Toys for Tots Drive
This holiday season, the Lommen Abdo team came together once again to support Toys for Tots, and we’re proud to share just how much our impact has grown. In 2024, we collected 45 toys. This year, we more than doubled that number, donating 96 toys and contributing over...
When Does an Uncontested Divorce Become Contested?
Many people begin the divorce process believing it will be simple and cooperative, only to discover later that disagreements derail those expectations. Understanding when does an uncontested divorce become contested can help you avoid surprises and better protect your...





