Steven J. Cologne

Steve Cologne joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack as an equity partner in 1999.  He previously worked for 15 years as a partner with the law firm of McInnis, Fitzgerald, Rees & Sharkey.  Mr. Cologne’s practice is civil tort and business litigation.  He also serves the Firm as executive partner in charge of litigation.

Mr. Cologne has received the highest rating (A-V) available from Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability.  He is listed as Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates with over 62 jury trials to verdict.  Mr. Cologne was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 2008 and 2009.  He was also named one of Southern California Super Lawyers, San Diego Edition in 2007.

Mr. Cologne began his career in construction defect and medical professional liability.  His practice grew to include defending the San Diego Unified School District on a variety of different claims in State and Federal court.  He focuses his trial practice in the defense of complex tort and business litigation cases.  Specifically, he advises clients in employment litigation, breach of contract disputes and construction delay/disruption matters.

1. Represents owners, including public entities and contractors for construction delay, construction defect, and other construction disputes;
   
2. Represents employers, owners and supervisors for wrongful termination, discrimination, wage and hour litigation and disputes, and employment-related litigation;


3. Defends and prosecutes insurance bad faith and other litigation associated with insurance disputes; and


4. Handles a variety of tort and business litigation matters.

Mr. Cologne is a member of the State Bar of California Labor and Employment Law section, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, and Tort and Insurance Practice section.  He is a past Executive Editor of San Diego Lawyer™, the quarterly journal of the San Diego County Bar Association, and served as a Board Member of the San Diego County Bar Foundation.  He provides pro bono legal services for the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.  Mr. Cologne serves on the University of San Diego School of Law Board of Visitors.

PRACTICE GROUPS
Construction
Employment
Tort and Insurance
Wine Law

• J.D., University of San Diego School of Law (1984)
• B.A., University of Southern California (1981)

• California

• State Bar of California
• San Diego County Bar Association
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• San Diego Employer Association
• Construction Financial Management Association
• Construction SuperConference 2007