In Memoriam John J. Coppinger

John Coppinger Headshot It is with great sadness that we announce our long-time partner, colleague, mentor, and friend, John J. Coppinger, passed away on July 15, 2026.

John joined legacy firm Donahue, Gallagher, Thomas & Woods, as an associate in 1984 and became a partner in 1990. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, he focused on transactional real estate law, advising clients on the leasing, acquisition, disposition, development, and financing of commercial and residential real property throughout California and across the United States. He also served for many years as the chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.

John was widely respected for his deep knowledge of the law, practical judgement, and tremendous work ethic. Colleagues described John as a “true lawyer’s lawyer” and “the real deal.” His door was always open, and, as busy as he was, he was always available to discuss a client’s issue with his colleagues. Clients valued not only his legal expertise, but also his remarkable ability to make clients feel as though they were his only client, devoting exceptional attention, care, and thoughtfulness to every matter he handled.

He approached both his practice and his relationships with integrity, humility, and genuine respect for others with humor and grace. Practicing law wasn’t just a job to him – it was his passion. He genuinely loved what he did. He deeply cared about his craft and the people he represented, and it showed in everything he did.

John will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, clients, and colleagues. We are grateful for his many contributions to the firm and for the lasting impact he had on those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. His legacy endures in the attorneys he mentored, the clients he served, and the firm he helped shape.

John’s memorial mass will take place at Mission Santa Clara at 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053 on Saturday, November 14th. For more on John’s legacy, his obituary is available here.