Alex Coolman is a San Diego attorney focusing on civil rights, as well as civil and criminal appeals. A graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Law San Francisco, he has represented individuals in excessive force and wrongful death cases and First Amendment retaliation and public records matters, as well as in serious felonies, including providing post-conviction representation to individuals on California’s death row.
Recent Results:
$250,000 settlement in civil rights suit against El Centro Police officers on behalf of man fatally shot while running toward officers with knives in his hands (with attorneys Dale Galipo and Shannon Leap).
Bodycamera footage released in California Public Records Act suits against the San Diego Police Department and San Diego Sheriff’s Department where law enforcement officers used force causing great bodily injury.
$136,000 settlement in civil rights suit after the Riverside County Sheriff performed an extensive, improper, warrantless search on the home of a Lake Elsinore couple.
$30,000 settlement in excessive force suit against San Diego Police officer on behalf of client pepper sprayed while handcuffed in police vehicle.
Bodycamera footage, interviews, and reports released in California Public Records Act suit against El Centro Police Department stemming from fatal shooting of pedestrian by El Centro police officers.
Published Appellate Wins:
People v. Cooper (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 393
People v. Silas (2021) 68 Cal.App.5th 1057
In re Edgerrin J. (2020) 57 Cal.App.5th 752
People v. Drayton (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 965
Satyadi v. West Contra Costa Healthcare Dist. (2014) 232 Cal.App.4th 1022
People v. Vinson (2011) 193 Cal.App.4th 1190
In re K.F. (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 655
Publications, Trainings, and Activities:
Volunteer attorney, San Diego Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop (2021-2022)
“Adverse Consequences: How to Not Make Things Worse on Appeal,” July 2020 training for California Appellate Defense Counsel.
“Obtaining Law Enforcement Records Under the California Public Records Act and SB 1421,” Avvo Legal Guide, April 2020.
"Making Your Best Record" - April 2017 training on appellate issue preservation for Riverside Public Defender.
"Making Your Best Record" - February 2016 training on appellate issue preservation for Orange County Public Defender.
"The 'Abuse of Discretion' Standard of Review: What Are We Talking About?" CalAppNews, Winter 2015.
"Shine a Light on Habeas Denials," Daily Journal, March 25, 2015.
"New Ethical Standards for Dependency Appeals? The Curious Case of In re P.C.," CalAppNews, Spring 2012
Affiliations:
San Diego County Bar Association
SDCBA Appellate Practice Section
National Police Accountability Project
California Appellate Defense Counsel
Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
