Judge Michael D. Coughlan: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 124398 (December 1986)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

The Hon. Michael D. Coughlan is a judge for the San Joaquin County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2005. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. James E. Cadle (Ret.).


He is a registered Republican.


Judge Coughlan received his B.A. from the University of the Pacific in 1977. After graduating from law school, Coughlan worked nights as a claims adjuster for the American Automobile Association to pay for law school. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1986.


Coughlan began his legal career in private practice, which included practicing eight years as a managing lead attorney with the California State Auto Association beginning in 1993. He then entered into a civil litigation solo practice, where he specialized in insurance coverage, personal injury, commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration. He remained in private practice until his call to the bench in 2005.


Coughlan also served as a judge pro tem.


While on the bench, Judge Coughlan has presided in the Criminal Division at the Manteca Branch and has presided over the San Joaquin County Superior Court's Adoption Day. He has served as a Presiding Juvenile Judge and also served on the Court's Executive Committee.


He was born and raised in San Francisco, California.

Recent Cases by Hon. Michael D. Coughlan

On August 24, 2020 a dissolution without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Aug 24, 2020

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Family Law Annex

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Dissolution without children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 05, 2025

On April 5, 2019 an unlimited civil name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Name Change

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

On April 4, 2019 an unlimited civil name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Name Change

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

On October 15, 2018 an unlimited civil workplace violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2018

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Manteca Branch

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Workplace Violence

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2021

On September 27, 2013 an unlimited civil petition - other case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 2013

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Petition - Other

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 03, 2021

On May 30, 2013 an unlimited civil fraud case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2013

Status

Consolidation

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Fraud

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Economic Torts

On April 10, 2013 an unlimited civil auto tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 10, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Auto Tort

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 9, 2013 a limited civil breach of contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Breach of Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 9, 2013 a limited civil breach of contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Breach of Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 8, 2013 a limited civil enforcement of judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2013

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Enforcement of Judgment

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 07, 2021

On April 8, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 03, 2021

On April 8, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2013

Status

Stayed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 8, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 03, 2021

On April 8, 2013 an unlimited civil medical malpractice case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Medical Malpractice

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 5, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020

On April 5, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020

On April 5, 2013 a limited civil enforcement of judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2013

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Enforcement of Judgment

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

On April 5, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020

On April 5, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 05, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020

On April 4, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020

On April 4, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2021

On April 4, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2013

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 07, 2021

On April 4, 2013 an unlimited civil other real property case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Unlimited Civil Other Real Property

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2021

On April 4, 2013 a limited civil collection rule 3.740 case was filed in the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. Judge Michael D. Coughlan presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2013

Status

Stayed

Judge

Hon. Michael D. Coughlan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael D. Coughlan

Court

Stockton

County

San Joaquin County, CA

Court Category

Limited Civil Collection Rule 3.740

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2020