During law school, he gained judicial perspective as an extern to a magistrate judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and to an associate justice on the California Court of Appeal. He also developed skills in federal criminal defense, including in-court argument, while serving as a certified legal intern for the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. As a member of a small team of students at the University of San Diego Appellate Clinic, Cole helped research and draft the winning brief for a case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cole had extensive involvement with student organization leadership and advocacy competition teams. He served as an editor for the San Diego Law Review, as well as vice chair for the University of San Diego Appellate Moot Court Executive Board. Cole’s performance in moot court tournaments earned him multiple awards for brief writing, oral argument, and overall tournament placement.

Prior to law school, Cole was a paralegal with a boutique complex litigation firm, where his work was described by the managing partner as “invaluable” for securing a high-profile $16 million settlement. Before entering the legal field, Cole developed robust critical thinking skills and attention to detail while working in neurobiology research laboratories.