Ozmon, Laird M.

Virgina Criminal and Appellate Attorney Jeff Coale is an extremely experienced and effective trial attorney with over 150 jury trials under his belt. He is also a former chief prosecutor and police officer. Twenty-four years in and around the court system, including nineteen years as an attorney, have given Jeff the practical knowledge and experience to successfully defend his clients.

Jeff graduated Summa Cum Laude from Emory & Henry College in 1985. He then served as a police officer and tactical team (SWAT) member from 1985 to 1987. Jeff earned a scholarship to Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1990. He later started his own private practice and later was appointed Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in 1995 where he handled thousands of cases per year. Jeff was elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Washington County, Virginia in 1999. He continued to try cases after being elected chief prosecutor.

Jeff also joined the faculty at the Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Trial Advocacy School, hosted by Marshal-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary, to teach other specially selected prosecutors. As both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Jeff has tried everything from petty offenses to bank robberies and capital murder. Jeff is an important member of the Premier Defense Group where his extensive, practical experience, as well as his personal involvement in each of his cases, serves his clients well.