Ben Coughlan

Ben Coughlan is an award-winning trial lawyer who represents individuals facing life-changing injuries and losses. He founded his firm to provide personal attention and creative strategies for every client. He believes in telling each client’s story authentically while working to secure the strongest possible financial results.

Ben earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked in media relations for the San Diego Padres.

Ben is known throughout San Diego and Southern California for handling high-profile and complex cases. With a decade of experience, he litigates catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, employment, medical malpractice, toxic exposure, and whistleblower matters. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law and teaches with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.

Ben is a past President of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and serves on the Board of Directors for Consumer Attorneys of California. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Trial Bar News. His leadership reflects his deep commitment to the plaintiff’s bar and the legal community.

Ben has a sub-specialty in brain injury and spinal injury cases. He is a past Vice President of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation and co-authored and edited “A Journey Toward Recovery: A Brain Injury Guide for Survivors.” He regularly speaks across the nation on brain injury issues.

Ben Coughlan was born and raised in San Diego and lives in Solana Beach with his wife and children. He has received numerous honors, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, and awards from the Brain Injury Association of California.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Coughlan & Vinel, LLP
• Member, State Bar of California
• Former Vice President, San Diego Brain Injury Foundation
• Member of Board of Directors, Consumer Attorneys of California
• Former President, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD)
• Adjunct Professor, University of San Diego School of Law
• Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA)

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of San Diego School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois
  BA in Journalism

Awards & Badges