10 Questions with Leah R. Cole

A local attorney with 27 years of experience and a statewide reputation, Leah R. Cole is recognized as one of California’s Super Lawyers.

Leah is a partner at Cole, Fisher, Cole, O'Keefe + Mahoney, and a certified specialist in workers’ compensation law. She has established a reputation and contacts throughout California, in part due to her membership in the California Applicants’ Attorney Association (CAAA), an organization of attorneys who represent those injured at work. Leah was invited to serve on CAAA’s executive committee, where she helped direct the organization’s efforts to assist injured workers. In addition to her practice in workers’ compensation, Leah has also successfully handled hundreds of Social Security Disability and SSI appeals.

1. What is your philosophy when it comes to representing clients?

Most injured workers come to us after having been kicked around by everybody in the system Including their employer, the claims adjuster and the medical providers they are sent to by Worker’s Compensation. Therefore, if they choose to put their trust in me, I’m going to work very hard on their behalf to make sure I justify that faith, and protect them from losing everything in the course of those work-disabling claims.

2. Why did you decide to become an attorney?

Surprisingly, becoming an attorney wasn’t always in my plans. I actually went to school for psychology, and tried my hand at TV journalism before deciding to pursue a career in law.

I suppose my eventual decision to become an attorney was influenced by my father. He founded this firm in 1985 and had been successfully practicing workers’ compensation law for decades when I finally became a lawyer. He invited me into the practice, and I was happy to accept.

3. What sets this firm apart from other worker's comp/SSD firms in the area?

This question is tough to answer because, of course, you really have to ask others in the community to get an outsider’s perspective.

But we hear, over and over again - from even the most hardened defense attorneys (our opponents) - that we are known for our honesty, integrity and competence, and we are taken seriously because of it. We also have a proven track record to back it up.

4. Describe the culture at Cole Fisher Cole O'Keefe + Mahoney.

We have worked very hard to develop a work environment that comes to feel very much like family - with everybody always backing each other up. In a law firm, your support staff absolutely has to have your back, and we are very lucky to know that ours does 100%.

5. What has been your proudest moment as an attorney?

I’ve been very lucky to have many proud moments in my career. But, I’m most proud of how my law career came to be.

I married when I was 21 and had two beautiful children. But, I actually started law school shortly after getting separated, while raising a four-year-old and a one-year-old child. That was a tough time. I went to law school at night and I studied or worked at local law firms during the day. As my children could tell you, there were days I couldn’t even get $20 out of the ATM. 

But it was absolutely worth it. Now both of those small kids are grown adults, and have gone on to become attorneys, themselves. One of which, I’m lucky enough to work alongside every day.

6. Why is hiring a certified worker's comp specialist so important?

There are many people who just dabble in picking up a Worker’s Compensation claim, here or there, and it’s a far too complicated area of the law to practice part-time. I have had appellate court judges tell me that it is, in-fact, the most complicated area of the law they ever have to deal with.

One of the reasons why is because our legislature is constantly changing the laws. This requires us to know 5 or 6 different sets of laws, and which cases they apply to. In my 27 year career that’s happened five different times. Being a certified specialist ensures that we remain up to date on these laws.

7. What's one thing you wish everyone knew about the worker's comp/disability process?

I guess I would say that I wish everyone understood what a complicated mess both workers’ comp and disability cases can be. Although both of these systems exist to protect injured and disabled workers, they are also notoriously difficult to deal with and get a claim approved. And nobody is looking out for their interest if they are not represented against those insurance companies.

8. What's the most frequent question clients ask you?

In a nutshell - “Can they really do this?!”

Whether they are asking me if the insurance company can lawfully deny them medical treatment that their own doctor has asked for, or cut off their benefits while they’re still getting surgery, the question is always the same: “Can they really do this?!”

9. What's your favorite thing about Fresno/Central Valley?

Well, I grew up here so it’s home, and it’s where my tribe is. I enjoy living around all of the agriculture, and I love living near the San Joaquin River where I will walk for miles on nice days.

10. What do you do when you're not fighting for injured workers' rights?

I’m an exercise fanatic so I hit the gym several times a week, as well as walking with my two dogs along the trails in Woodward park or the riverbottom. I love to travel with my family and friends to places like New York or London - anywhere new really; it’s always an adventure. I also love hanging out with my kids and my three adorable grandchildren. We enjoy going to Santa Barbara and Disneyland, and many other places together.

Leah graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School and earned a B.S. degree at University of Santa Clara in psychology. After trying her hand at TV journalism in Nebraska, Leah returned to Fresno to pursue her legal career and graduated with distinction from San Joaquin College of Law. While in law school, Leah clerked at local firm Baker Manock & Jensen, and ultimately joined the then firm of Cole and Fisher.

Leah handles cases in the Central Valley, and has more recently begun accepting clients in the Santa Barbara area.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.