×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔

Coughlan & Vinel, LLPCo-Founder/Partner
Ben Coughlan
Pro

Ben Coughlan

5.0
19 reviews

4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 575, San Diego, CA 92122

Personal Injury, Defective and Dangerous Products, Labor and Employment and 2 more

About Ben Coughlan

Ben Coughlan is an award-winning trial lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for individuals going through the toughest times of their lives. After spending the last decade at a large plaintiff’s firm, Ben 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 the clients story as the client 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 for the clients, 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 in both the Trial Skills and Depositions Skills programs. Ben is the President-Elect of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego – the Plaintiff’s Bar for all of San Diego. He serves 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 (3) and daughter Mackenzie (1) 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.

Recognition & Awards

2021 – San Diego Reader, Top Attorneys

2021 – The National Trial Lawyers, 40 Under 40

2021 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2020 – The National Trial Lawyers, 40 Under 40

2020 – University of San Diego School of Law, Distinguished Alumni, Rising Star Award

2020 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2020 – America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys

2019 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2019 – America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys

2018 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2018 – San Diego Metro Magazine, 40 Under 40 Award

2017 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2017 – San Diego Metro Magazine, Top 10 Attorney Overall

2016 – Super Lawyers, Rising Star

2015 – San Diego Business Journal, Best of the Bar

2014 – San Diego Business Journal, Best of the Bar

2014 – Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Outstanding Trial Lawyer

2013 – San Diego Daily Transcript, Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney

2013 – San Diego Daily Transcript, Top Young Attorney

Publications

Negligent Sexual Transmission of Disease: A Primer – Trial Bar News, March/April 2021

Anything but simple, the Taxation of Personal Injury Settlements and Judgments – Trial Bar News, September 2020

Understanding Pituitary Injuries in Brain Injury Cases – Trial Bar News, August 2020

10 Cases Every Trial Lawyer Should Know – Trial Bar News, December 2018

Intervening and Superseding Causes in California Tort Cases – Trial Bar News, November 201

Pebley v. Santa Clara Organics, LLC: Court of Appeals Extends Bermudez Ruling to Lien Treatment – Trial Bar News, August/September 2018

A Journey Toward Recovery: A Brain Injury Guide for Survivors

Keep it Confidential: How Dennis Rodman Changed the World of Personal Injury Lawsuits – Trial Bar News, January 2018

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so “Invisible Injury” Part 2 of 3 – Trial Bar News , January 2017

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so “Invisible Injury” Part 3 of 3 – Trial Bar News , February 2017

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Litigating the Not-so “Invisible Injury” Part 1 of 3 – Trial Bar News , December 2016

We Recorded the Defense Medical Examination, Now What? – Trial Bar News, November 2016

The First 48: Human Body Reaction and Emergency Treatment of Trauma – Trial Bar News , May 2016

Mini-Opening Statements: Test, Approved, Recommended – Rarely Used – Trial Bar News , February 2016

The Misunderstood World of Defamation Law – Trial Bar News, January 2016

Playing the Punies: Punitive Damages in Premises Liability Cases – Trial Bar News , April 2015

 

Ben Coughlan (San Diego, California) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Ben Coughlan got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Ben Coughlan

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
5.0
See All Reviews
19
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
5.0
Martindale
15
5.0
Avvo
4

Services

Areas of Law

  • Personal Injury
  • Labor and Employment
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Business Law
  • Other 1
    • Defective and Dangerous Products

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2012, California
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of San Diego School of Law
    Class of 2012
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Northwestern University
    Class of 2005
    B.S.
    Journalism

Contact Ben Coughlan

Co-Founder/Partner at Coughlan & Vinel, LLP
5.0
19 reviews

4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 575San Diego, CA 92122U.S.A.

Show on map
Fax: 6194502533

Email Ben Coughlan

Case type is required.
I am is required.
First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid zip code is required.
Country is required.
State is required.
A valid city is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Emails sent through this site do not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent though this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. See Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to test@test.com.

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
I am a/an:
First Name:
Last Name:
City:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
State:
Country:
Phone Number:
Message:
Return to Profile Reset Form

Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Ben Coughlan was admitted in 2012 to the State of California.
  • What is this attorney's primary practice area?
    The practice area Ben Coughlan spends the most time on is Personal Injury.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Ben Coughlan attended University of San Diego School of Law.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions

Avvo Client Reviews

Ratings and reviews are feedback from people who have either consulted an attorney about an issue (but may not have hired the attorney) or people who hired an attorney as a current or former client and provided their feedback to our sister site, Avvo.com.