Introduction
In 2018, after 21 years of distinguished service for the Orange County Superior Court, Judge Colaw retired and currently serves as a mediator, arbitrator, and private judge. After 11 years on the General Civil Panel, Judge Colaw served for 9 years on the Complex Civil Panel, where he developed an unparalleled track record, presiding over a broad spectrum of challenging cases including employment class actions, construction defects, toxic torts, CEQA and other multi-party complex matters.
Judge Colaw is a long time active member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)and Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL). He is the proud recipient of many judicial honors including several “Judge of the Year” awards from various organizations. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Colaw was in private practice for 20 years representing both plaintiffs and defendants in all types of civil litigation. Judge Colaw, a United States Navy veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, is an alumnus of the Santa Clara University School of Law, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Practice Areas
- Business/Contractual
- Construction Defect
- Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
- Product Liability including Pharmaceutical
- Professional Malpractice
- All types of Personal Injury
- General Maritime Law
- Environmental/CEQA
- Class Actions
- Mass Tort
Hobbies & Interests
Judge Colaw is a sports enthusiast who yearly in autumn travels to college football meccas for big games with his brothers and sons. He especially loves all classical music, most jazz, some pop, enjoys photography, bicycling, the beach, cooking French cuisine with his spouse, and travel anywhere, although especially the USA and Europe.
Testimonials
"He is a very well respected judge in the civil litigation field. His opinions have great weight not just with clients but attorneys as well."
- - Attorney on a Complex Business Contractual Matter
"Did a good job getting key information to the other side."
- Attorney on a Business/Contractual Dispute
"Judge Colaw is amazing. He reads all the materials provided and shows that he is invested in getting the case resolved. I would use Judge Colaw in every case if possible.
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- Attorney on a Civil Rights Discrimination case
"Judge Colaw was most hlepful in that he understood the issues and had a good sense of what needed to be done to reach a resolution"
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Construction Site matter
"Good listener. Effective listener & communicator. No sugarcoating – appreciated that. Quite likable."
- Attorney on a real property dispute
"Judge Colaw was kind and caring. He also was very clear in sharing his perspective of our case. He was an absolute blessing to me and my client."
- Attorney on a Construction Breach of Contract Matter
"He really established a great deal of trust with our client."
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Matter
"Understands trial and its pitfalls."
- Attorney on a premises liability dispute
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