Cole Portis

Cole Portis joined Beasley Allen in 1991. Today, he leads the Personal Injury and Product Liability Section, continuing to be a driving force in the firm’s mission of helping those who need it most.

At the heart of Cole’s life and work is a commitment to integrity. He believes that integrity is the cornerstone of effective legal counsel and the defining trait of Beasley Allen’s culture. With nearly three decades of experience, Cole is a nationally recognized trial attorney. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently named a Mid-South Super Lawyer and listed in Best Lawyers in America. His accolades include being featured in the National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Hot List, selected to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and honored with the Alabama State Bar’s J. Anthony “Tony” McLain Professionalism Award in 2023. He was also a finalist for Public Justice’s Trial Lawyer of the Year for his work in the landmark Bookout v. Toyota case.

Cole is a fierce advocate for families facing the unimaginable—parents grieving the loss of a child, spouses mourning lifelong partners, and children whose lives have been forever changed by dangerous and defective products. His work isn’t just about winning cases—it’s about making a difference. Cole played a pivotal role in the landmark Toyota sudden unintended acceleration case in Oklahoma, helping shine a national spotlight on corporate accountability. Through his relentless pursuit of justice, Cole has not only secured life-changing outcomes for victims but also driven real improvements in product safety.

Beyond the courtroom, Cole has served in numerous leadership roles within the legal community. He is a past president of the Alabama State Bar, Montgomery County Bar Association, Alabama Young Lawyers Association, Montgomery County Trial Lawyers Association, and Auburn University Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Cole and his wife, Joy, are passionate advocates for adoption and foster care. Together, they are parents to twelve children, nine of whom are adopted, and served as foster parents for fourteen years. They have been members of Morningview Baptist Church for over 40 years, where he serves as a lay elder and teaches Sunday School. He has also led the Jimmy Hitchcock Award program, which honors Christian student-athletes, and currently serves on the boards of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Trinity Presbyterian School. 

Education

Cole’s educational journey began at Auburn University, where he earned his B.A. in 1986, followed by a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1990. 

His path to law was shaped by a love of literature, early experiences in student government and journalism, and mentorships that inspired his calling. He credits his faith and the people God placed in his life for guiding him toward a profession where he could use his gifts to help others.

Licenses

• Alabama (1990)