Dennis M. Cota

Dennis Cota is a public law specialist with over 20 years experience representing both private clients and public entities. He previously served as Interim County Counsel for Plumas County, and currently acts as advice and litigation counsel to Madera County, San Joaquin County, Trinity County, the Fresno County Sheriff, and the Amador Regional Transit System. Mr. Cota is familiar with the Brown Act and has advised public agency clients around the state.

Mr. Cota's extensive trial experience includes complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights and municipal defense, and environmental and hazardous waste litigation in which he has obtained successful results before both the state and federal bar. He is also experienced in real estate, contract, labor (management side), and business litigation. He has successfully brought to verdict numerous bench and jury trials (including a recent defense verdict on behalf of Madera County regarding a lawsuit brought by a former Deputy Sheriff), and is trained in mediation at the Strauss Institute at Pepperdine School of Law.

Mr. Cota earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in May 1983 from the University of California Los Angeles, and he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree in May 1986 from the University of California at Davis Law School. He has since graduated from the Trial Advocacy Skills Program in August 1989 from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and in March 1998 from the Teaching Advocacy Skills Program at Harvard University.

Mr. Cota's experience includes numerous semesters as a trial practice instructor at U.C. Davis School of Law and previously as an instructor of civil procedure and evidence courses at the University of California Riverside Extension Program, as well as a guest lecturer at the University of La Verne School of Law. He has also served as a Judge Pro Tempore in Los Angeles County, Citrus Judicial District.

Prior to founding Cota Cole & Associates, Mr. Cota was Managing Partner of the Sacramento office of Best Best & Krieger LLP, and held the same position previously for the firm's Ontario office.

Bar Admissions:

California Bar: 1987
United States District Court, Central District of California
United States District Court, Eastern District of California
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals