It is with great sorrow and a shared grief that we acknowledge the passing of Bernard T. Cotter. As a partner and shareholder of Nagle, Vale, McDowall and Cotter and then an actively retired member of McDowall Cotter APC, Bernie earned his reputation as an excellent lawyer, a skilled trial attorney and sage mediator through decades of dedicated practice. He was loved and recognized for his generosity and legal acumen by the legal community and the community at large. He dedicated countless hours to the editing and publication of the San Mateo County Bar magazine, “The Docket” and was ever present at Bar functions serving as its unofficial photographer. He helped to resolve hundreds of cases through his service as a volunteer settlement judge and as a mediator. This firm’s deep respect for its former leader is perhaps best exemplified by our firm name, McDowall Cotter. Even in retirement, he was always available to offer firm attorneys assistance with trials and briefs. Bernie was dedicated and driven to the law, to his family, and his community. He was a mentor for many and compassionate to everybody. His lawyering abilities were matched only by his wit and kindness. Farewell good friend and mentor. Your affable ways and the wisdom you so gently imparted will be missed by us all! The members of McDowall Cotter
