Steven Cologne
Steven Cologne
Website http://www.higgslaw.com; http://www.cologneadr.com
Biography
Steve Cologne is the Firm’s immediate past Managing Partner serving 2017-2023. He has since returned to his litigation practice and serves as a panel arbitrator.
In addition to his law practice, Mr. Cologne achieved the distinction of being certified as a Fellow in The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) effective May 2020. On May 4, 2020, he was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia. In December 2020, he was appointed a Panelist with the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Currently, he focuses on defending clients in employment litigation, breach of contract disputes, trademark litigation, and other commercial litigation matters.
As an attorney for over 30 years, Mr. Cologne primarily represents businesses in complex litigation at the state and federal level. He currently serves as the primary litigation counsel for San Diego Unified School District on a variety of claims in State and Federal court.
As an arbitrator, Mr. Cologne focuses on complex commercial disputes, including in the areas of employment, construction and professional liability. His experience as managing partner of a law firm gives him a unique perspective as he is able to understand legal needs within a business context.
He has received the highest rating (AV) available from Martindale-Hubbell for ethics and legal ability and has been selected by his peers and recognized by Best Lawyers in America© each year from 2008-2024. He has been named to the San Diego Super Lawyers® list since 2007. He has earned the rank of Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the premier association of trial attorneys, with nearly 65 jury trials to verdict. For his demonstrated leadership and vision, the San Diego Business Journal named him to the “500 List of Most Influential People in San Diego” from 2017-2023. In 2017 The Daily Transcript named him as one of the “50 Influential Leaders” in San Diego.
In 2020, Mr. Cologne was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of San Diego School of Law.