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
Minnesota Supreme Court – in Conflicting Opinions – Issues Further Guidance to Practitioners on the Filing Requirements of Rule 5.04(a)
The 2013 amendments to the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure enacted substantial changes to Rule 5.04(a), which now plays a crucial role in determining the timeliness of filing a case. It brought about significant change to the long-standing practice of so-called...
Mastering Summary Judgment: Strategies to Seal Your Case With Precision
In the legal realm, summary judgment is a crucial procedural tool that allows parties to seek a prompt resolution of a case without going through a full trial. Prevailing on summary judgment is much less costly than proceeding through trial. To succeed in obtaining a...
The Benefits of Construction Mediation for Contractors and Owners
Construction projects, with their intricate nature and multiple stakeholders, can often lead to disputes and conflicts. Resolving these conflicts efficiently and amicably is crucial for both contractors and owners to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation....
Celebrating Our 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
At Lommen Abdo, we are thrilled to announce and celebrate the exceptional legal talent in Minnesota as we recognize our 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. These esteemed attorneys have demonstrated outstanding skills, legal acumen, and an unwavering...
Midwest Law Talk with Joseph Wetch – What Makes Mediation Effective with Jamie Johnson
Lommen Abdo attorney Jamie Johnson is back on Midwest Law Talk with Joseph Wetch, this time discussing what makes mediation effective. Jamie Johnson answers the following questions, and more, in this episode: What are the key factors to successful mediations?...
To Compete or Not to Compete, That Is The question. The Legislature has Spoken: Understanding Minnesota’s New Law on Covenants Not to Compete.
Starting from July 1, 2023, a significant change has been implemented in Minnesota law regarding covenants not to compete. Under the new legislation, such restrictive covenants in contracts or agreements are now considered void and unenforceable. This shift has raised...