Derek P. Cole

Derek Cole is a co-founder of Cota Cole & Associates, and has represented public and private clients on a wide range of matters. He is admitted to all state and federal courts in California, and handles complex litigation for both public agencies and private sector clients. He is County Counsel for Trinity County, and advises on the full scope of municipal laws and regulations. He was also recently chosen to be the City Attorney for the City of Oakley, and serves as Advice Counsel for the Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District.

Mr. Cole is a member of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar, and has authored a number of papers and provided presentations on environmental topics. Representing both public and private clients on land use and environmental regulation matters, Mr. Cole’s experience includes general plans, zoning, special use permits, the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, and water rights and supply. Mr. Cole also has significant experience in CERCLA, RCRA, California’s Porter-Cologne Act and related water quality regulations. Additionally, he has dealt with a number of Williamson Act issues.

Based on his significant mining law experience, Mr. Cole has authored California Surface Mining Law for Solano Press Books, the authoritative publisher of books and treatises on California planning and land use. Mr. Cole is an expert on all aspects of surface mining regulation, including SMARA, vested rights, and neighborhood compatibility issues.

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Cole has held several academic positions. He taught legal writing and research to first-year students at McGeorge Law School between 2003 and 2005. From 1999-2003, he taught Appellate Advocacy at the school. Mr. Cole graduated from McGeorge and was admitted to the California Bar in 1999. At McGeorge, Mr. Cole was admitted to the Order of the Coif, Order of Barristers, and Traynor Honor Society. Prior to attending law school, he graduated from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1996 with a B.A. in Law and Society.

Bar Admissions:

California Bar: 1999
United States District Court, Central District of California
United States District Court, Eastern District of California
United States District Court, Northern District of California
United States District Court, Southern District of California
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals