Brandon Cole

Brandon Cole
Class of 2021 BEQ Pride LGBTQ Leader Under 40
(He, Him) is 36

The year 2020 feels like a worldwide wake-up call in so many ways. As a leader, I realize the most important thing I have learned and will take forward is…

Effective leadership should never stop.  This year has been full of challenges, like national protests regarding racial injustice, disconnection from others through a pandemic and a more fractious political environment than I’ve ever seen.  We have to keep pressing forward, meeting change where it is required and continue to be creative to accomplish our goals.

Brandon J. Cole recently accepted a role as a Senior e-Discovery Attorney at Troutman Pepper. Prior to Troutman Pepper , Cole was part of McGuireWoods national discovery counsel team and a member of the LGBTQ+ Lawyers Network where he played a pivotal role in the implementation of pro bono clinics designed to protect vulnerable populations. Cole graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law after attending the College of Charleston as an undergraduate and the Citadel for his master’s degree in clinical psychology.

Attorney Brandon Cole is determined to make a difference in the LGBTQ+ community. As a leader in McGuireWoods’ LGBTQ+ Lawyers Network, Cole played a pivotal role in the implementation of pro bono clinics designed to protect vulnerable populations. Since 2018, he has planned and participated in annual pro bono legal clinics at the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade with McGuireWoods. These clinics have helped attendees prepare healthcare powers of attorney and living wills for over 100 individuals free of charge. Over the years, he has been able to develop the clinic to include anchor clients Bank of America and Duke Energy.

Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Charlotte Pride was canceled for 2020.  These circumstances made healthcare decisions a priority in helping people mitigate a health crisis. At the time, Cole suggested McGuireWoods continue their support and outreach to the community by holding a virtual clinic to support the LGBTQ+ population. 

Cole also has participated in a panel presentation about the intersection of pro bono and diversity initiatives at the request of Bank of America’s legal team. He is experienced in financial services litigation and complex commercial litigation and a specialty in the e-discovery phase of litigation. Cole has also completed training to become a kCura Certified Relativity Administrator. 

During law school, Cole was an executive member of the selective Broun National Trial Team. He previously served as a summer clerk to Judge James Wynn Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.