Introduction
After 21 years of distinguished service for the Orange County Superior Court, Judge Colaw is now available statewide to serve 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. He also served on the court’s executive committee for a decade. 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.
Specialties
- 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 knew the law, the nuances of the evidentiary uses, and listened to the client and attorneys."
- Attorney on a premises liability dispute
"Good listener. Effective listener & communicator. No sugarcoating – appreciated that. Quite likable."
- Attorney on a real property dispute
"Understands trial and its pitfalls."
- Attorney on a premises liability dispute
"Very drawn out & difficult process, that was only solved by patience and determination."
- Attorney on a wrongful death matter
“Judge Colaw was fantastic; it was one of the better mediation experiences I’ve had. We did not settle the case on the day of mediation, and he continued to work with and for us, and we resolve the case a week later. I will, and already have recommended Judge Colaw to others.”
- Attorney on a Medical Malpractice Matter
“He really established a great deal of trust with our client.”
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Matter
"Did a good job getting key information to the other side."
- Attorney on a Business/Contractual Dispute
"He was attentive, he really worked at the process the facts, the law + getting to areas of resolution + eventual settlement."
- Attorney on a premises liability dispute
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