Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Ventura, CA
Slaughter, Reagan & Cole is a distinguished law firm with approximately 130 years of combined legal experience, serving individuals and businesses across Ventura County and Southern California. Our attorneys specialize in business litigation, personal injury, construction litigation, real estate, and appellate advocacy, delivering tailored solutions grounded in deep local expertise and statewide reach. We prioritize client needs through cost-benefit analysis, alternative dispute resolution, and aggressive courtroom representation when necessary. Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with AV ratings and listed in Super Lawyers, we combine institutional knowledge with personalized service. Our commitment extends beyond the courtroom through active community involvement and memberships in professional organizations like the Ventura County Bar Association.We offer free initial case evaluations, leveraging advanced technology for efficient case management and transparent communication. With a focus on early liability analysis and strategic settlement leverage, our team ensures clients receive informed guidance and robust advocacy. Our attorneys, including seasoned trial lawyers and transactional experts, serve diverse clients ranging from multinational corporations to local businesses and individuals. This dedication to excellence has earned us recognition as one of Ventura County's top law firms by U.S. News and Best Lawyers in America.
Services
Business Litigation
Personal Injury
Construction Litigation
Real Estate Law
Appellate Advocacy
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Insurance Litigation
Writs & Appeals
Entity Formation
Civil Litigation
Highlights and features
- We offer 130+ years of combined legal experience in diverse practice areas.
- Our team provides cost-benefit analysis for every case to ensure value.
- We utilize alternative dispute resolution to expedite favorable settlements.
- Our attorneys are AV-rated and recognized in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.
- We maintain deep relationships with local courts and the Ventura community.
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America
- U.S. News Best Law Firms
What people say
Efficient, organized
Strong-willed leadership
Great job
Second to none
Positive things
Services
Business Litigation
Our firm handles complex business disputes including contract conflicts, partnership dissolutions, and corporate governance issues. We combine trial readiness with strategic settlement negotiation to protect client interests. With decades of experience, we represent businesses of all sizes in courtrooms and boardrooms across California.
Personal Injury
We advocate for injury victims in car accidents, wrongful death cases, and premises liability matters. Our attorneys pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain suffering. Through thorough investigation and expert testimony, we build compelling cases to maximize client recovery.
Construction Litigation
Our team resolves construction conflicts involving defects, contract breaches, and insurance claims. We represent contractors, developers, and property owners in dispute resolution and courtroom litigation. With industry-specific knowledge, we address complex issues like lien claims and project delivery disputes.
Real Estate Law
We handle commercial and residential real estate transactions, disputes, and litigation. Our services include contract negotiation, title resolution, and representation in development and zoning matters. We protect client interests in purchases, sales, and construction-related property conflicts.
Appellate Advocacy
Our firm provides specialized appellate representation with focus on brief preparation and oral argument. We analyze trial outcomes for appeal viability and leverage procedural expertise to challenge or defend judgments. This practice area distinguishes us from typical trial-focused law firms.
People
William M. Slaughter
Partner
Founding partner with 40 years' experience in commercial litigation and insurance defense. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell for over 25 years and recognized in Super Lawyers since 2009. Serves as judge pro tem and mediator.
Barry J. Reagan
Partner
Member of American Board of Trial Advocates. Represents community associations and corporations in business disputes, real estate, and personal injury cases. Brings extensive trial experience to complex litigation matters.
James B. Cole
Partner
Focuses on business transactions and litigation including real property disputes and corporate matters. Handles entity formation and contract negotiations while maintaining active trial practice in breach of contract and construction defect cases.
Michael Lebow
Partner
Specializes in bad faith insurance claims, personal injury defense, and real estate litigation. Joined firm in 2012 and became partner in 2019. Combines defense perspective with plaintiff-side business dispute representation.
Kevin J. Heimler
Partner
Focuses on civil litigation including landlord-tenant disputes, habitability claims, and homeowners association conflicts. Brings experience in underground utility excavation cases and general liability matters to client representation.
Questions
What areas of law does Slaughter, Reagan & Cole specialize in?
We focus on business litigation, personal injury, construction disputes, real estate law, and appellate advocacy, serving clients across Southern California.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free case evaluations to help clients understand their legal options before committing to representation.
How does your firm handle case costs and budgeting?
We present detailed budgets before engagement and track expenses electronically to maintain cost efficiency throughout your case.
What makes your firm different from other Ventura law practices?
Our combination of 130+ years of collective experience, AV ratings, and deep local court relationships sets us apart in legal effectiveness.
Can you represent out-of-state clients?
While based in Ventura, we accept cases across California on a case-by-case basis with particular strength in Central and Southern regions.
How do you approach dispute resolution?
We prioritize alternative dispute resolution methods while maintaining full trial readiness to achieve optimal outcomes for our clients.
