Who Is Terry Coffing? A Deep Legal Profile

Introduction

Terry Coffing is a veteran Las Vegas attorney with more than three decades of experience in Nevada’s legal landscape. He currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer at FaceTec, a Las Vegas–based technology company known for its work in advanced 3D facial recognition.

Before joining the tech sector, Coffing spent the bulk of his career at the law firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing, where he eventually rose to the role of managing partner. Over the years, he also sought to bring his experience to the judiciary, running twice for a seat on the Clark County (Nevada 8th Judicial District) bench, first in 2020 and again in a 2024 special election, though he was not elected in either race.

Key Highlights of Terry Coffing

Fact	Details
Full Name	Terry A. Coffing
Birthplace	Farmington, Minnesota
Age	About 60 (as of 2025)
Education	BA – University of Wisconsin; JD – Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Current Role	Chief Legal Officer, FaceTec
Law Firm Experience	Managing Partner at Marquis Aurbach Coffing
Judicial Runs	2020 (Dept. 5) & 2024 (Dept. 27) Eighth Judicial District Court
Civil & Criminal Experience	Only candidate in 2024 race with both civil & criminal trial experience
Social Media	LinkedIn: Terry Coffing; Facebook: Terry Coffing 4 Judge
Family	Wife: Jayne; Children: Abigail & Hayden; Dogs: Angus & Theo

Early Life and Education

Terry A. Coffing was born in Farmington, Minnesota. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin before completing his Juris Doctor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 1992. News coverage from his 2024 judicial campaign placed his age at approximately 59. Shortly after graduating from law school, Coffing relocated to Las Vegas, where he began building his long legal career.

Terry Coffing Age

As of 2025, Terry Coffing is approximately 60 years old. During his 2024 judicial campaign, he was publicly described as 59, placing him right at the cusp of turning 60 the following year. His age underscores not only the longevity of his career but also the depth of experience he has accumulated over decades of contributing to Nevada’s legal community.

Professional Legal Career

After relocating to Nevada, Terry Coffing established a long and respected career in civil litigation. He joined the law firm Marquis Aurbach, later renamed Marquis Aurbach Coffing, where he became a shareholder and ultimately served as president and managing partner. 

Throughout his tenure, he worked on a broad array of cases, including business disputes, real estate and construction matters, and personal-injury litigation. After decades in private practice, Coffing shifted into the tech sector in 2022, taking on the role of Chief Legal Officer at FaceTec.

In addition to his work as a litigator, Coffing gained courtroom experience through several judicial and quasi-judicial positions. He served as a Justice of the Peace pro tempore, overseeing minor civil cases and preliminary hearings, and also held a part-time judgeship with a Native American tribe. His colleagues in the legal community regard him highly, reflected in his “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization’s top mark for professional competence and ethical standards.

Coffing’s appellate work includes arguments before both the Nevada Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. While his reputation is rooted in civil litigation, Coffing’s background extends into criminal law as well. Earlier in his career, he tried two felony jury cases and handled numerous post-conviction matters, experience he often emphasized during his judicial campaigns.

Judicial Candidacy & Election Campaigns

Terry Coffing has twice campaigned for a seat on the Nevada District Court, participating in two prominent judicial races in Clark County. His first bid came in 2020, when he ran for Department 5 of the Eighth Judicial District Court. Coffing performed well in the primary, earning 40.6% of the vote in a four-candidate field, but ultimately lost in the general election, where he received 44.3%.

He returned to the ballot in 2024, entering the special election for Department 27 of the Eighth Judicial District Court. In a three-way race, Coffing secured 26.8% of the vote, finishing behind appointed Judge Erika Mendoza. Throughout the campaign, he underscored what he described as a rare blend of civil and criminal experience, telling voters:

 “I’m the only candidate in race with experience in criminal or civil cases.”

Judicial efficiency was another key theme of his platform. Coffing frequently argued that timely rulings were essential to fairness and cost-effective litigation, stating:

 “A bad opinion is better than no opinion… But if you never get a ruling, the time is ticking, and both sides of the case are spending money.”

His proposals included increasing the use of tentative rulings to streamline hearings, reinforcing honesty and work ethic on the bench, and addressing broader community concerns such as affordable housing. Despite his extensive background and well-defined priorities, Coffing’s 2024 campaign faced significant challenges, including strong law-enforcement endorsements for his opponent and comparatively limited fundraising support.

Challenges Faced in Judicial Campaigns

Despite Terry Coffing’s extensive legal credentials, his campaigns have underscored several challenges common in judicial elections. Voter engagement tends to be low, and many constituents remain unfamiliar with the candidates, creating an environment where name recognition is limited and voter fatigue sets in quickly. In the 2024 race, questions about age and longevity on the bench also surfaced, with opponents subtly raising concerns about how long he would be able to serve.

Another hurdle lies in translating decades of trial work into a compelling judicial profile. Although Coffing highlights his broad civil and criminal litigation experience, voters and endorsers often prioritize qualities such as case-management skills, judicial temperament, and the ability to craft sound legal reasoning. These factors can outweigh even a strong courtroom résumé.

Terry Coffing’s Net Worth

There is no publicly available information regarding Terry Coffing’s personal net worth. As a private attorney and corporate executive, his financial details have not been disclosed in public records or media profiles. Campaign finance filings offer only limited insight: for his 2024 judicial race, Coffing raised approximately $15,100, with about $5,400 remaining on hand as of October 2024. Beyond these figures, no verified sources provide reliable data about his private assets or overall wealth.

Personal and Family Background

Family Member	Relationship	Notes
Jayne Coffing	Wife	Married to Terry Coffing
Abigail Coffing	Daughter	Eldest child
Hayden Coffing	Son	Youngest child
Angus	Dog	Family pet
Theo	Dog	Family pet

Terry Coffing’s personal life mirrors the grounded, community-focused values that have shaped his professional career. He is married to his wife, Jayne, and together they have raised a close-knit family with two children: a daughter, Abigail, and a son, Hayden. In addition to his immediate family, Coffing is a devoted pet owner, sharing his home with two dogs, Angus and Theo. Reflecting a commitment to long-term planning and family security, he and Jayne established the Coffing Family Trust, underscoring their dedication to protecting their family’s future.

Terry Coffing’s Social Media Presence

Terry Coffing maintains a focused online presence that reflects his professional and judicial endeavors. On LinkedIn, under “Terry Coffing,” he showcases his legal career and leadership role at FaceTec. His Facebook campaign page, “Terry Coffing 4 Judge,” provides updates on his judicial campaigns, endorsements, and public appearances. While Coffing does not appear to maintain a personal Twitter/X account, his candidacy is often discussed by civic organizations such as Our Nevada Judges. Additionally, his campaign website, coffing4judge.com, serves as a central hub for his judicial platform and voter outreach efforts.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Given his persistence and long-term vision, Terry Coffing may continue to seek a seat on the bench. Potential paths include running in future elections as vacancies arise, pursuing a judicial appointment under Nevada’s governors, or drawing on his extensive litigation experience to shape the legal community through bar leadership, trial practice, and commentary on judicial reform.

FAQs About Terry Coffing