Trey Cox specializes in courtroom fights between businesses. His jury trial experience and courtroom success have earned him the distinction of being Board Certified as a Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Trey represents Fortune 500 corporations, entrepreneurs and leading firms in a wide array of industries. "We have built our firm on a singular pursuit of courtroom excellence in the service of our clients,” he says.
Representative Trials
Unlike many litigators, Trey has tried dozens of cases and knows how to prepare a case efficiently for trial, which makes for a competitive advantage that puts the client in the position to evaluate the case accurately and get the best results possible.
In the last two years, Trey has tried ten different cases to verdict. Here is a description of a few of those trials.
In 2010, Trey obtained a multi-million dollar arbitration award for two executives on their breach of contract claims.
Also in 2010, Trey secured a take nothing verdict for a real-estate developer accused of unjust enrichment. After a week-long trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Cox's client.
In 2009, Trey obtained a verdict for Mary Kay Inc. in a trademark infringement case. The jury found in favor of Mary Kay, found the violations willful and forfeited all of Defendant's profits.
In July 2007, Trey obtained a jury verdict for a real estate investor in a fraud and breach of contract lawsuit that centered on an oral agreement.
In late 2006, Trey won a hard-earned take-nothing jury verdict in one of the nation's first nuisance lawsuits against a wind energy development. Jurors in the closely watched trial found that Juno Beach, Fla. based FPL Energy LLC did not create a private nuisance when it constructed the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, the world's largest wind farm.
In 2004, Trey successfully defended a client in a two week breach of contract jury trial in Dallas County that culminated in a take-nothing judgment for the plaintiff.
What Clients Say
"Trey Cox is one of those lawyers who can seize the moment and not necessarily need weeks and months to get prepared. One time, Trey represented us in West Texas when our $300 million wind-based electric generation project was threatened with a court-imposed shutdown. Trey went to work with virtually no advance notice. Over the course of a hearing that spanned several days, Trey handled more than a dozen witnesses. When testimony was completed, Trey convinced the judge to immediately rule in our favor. It was a complete victory and we have Trey to thank."
David K. Markarian Senior Counsel Florida Power & Light
"Like all clients, I'm interested in results. Trey Cox and Jason Denis delivered. To say mine was a difficult case is an understatement. My $3,000,000 lawsuit involved a real estate development based on an oral contract. Other attorneys would have run from a challenge and trial like this, but Trey attacked the challenge. He is a formidable presence before the jury, with a masterful command of the facts and courtroom skills."
RUSSELL ALEXANDER, PLAINTIFF IN THE LAWSUIT, ALEXANDER VS. DALTON
"I'm a General Counsel now but previously, I've worked at outside law firms on litigation and corporate matters. You could say that I've seen it all. What impresses me most about Trey Cox is his responsiveness, service and attention to detail. First Broadcasting is a fast-moving company. The marketplace in which we compete demands quick action and strategic thinking. Trey is a partner in that process and in sync with us virtually every step of the way."
Hal A. Rose General Counsel First Broadcasting Investment Partners, LLC
For more of what clients say click here
Awards and Honors
Trey has been recognized as one of the top litigators in the country. In 2009 and 2010, Trey was recognized by the internationally known Chambers & Partners Leaders in Law directory as a "Leader in His Field.” The full text from Chambers and Partners can be viewed here.
Recognized by D Magazine as a Best Lawyer Under 40 for five consecutive years; a Texas Super Lawyer for seven consecutive years (2004-2010); and by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the "10 Metroplex Litigators Worth Having on Your Side" in 2003.
More recently, the Dallas Business Journal has recognized Trey as among the "Best and Brightest Business Leaders" in its annual 40 under 40 survey. Trey has also been recognized by the national legal publication Lawdragon as one of 500 "New Stars" in American Law.
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Sample Writing
Trey has published numerous law journal articles and has appeared as a lecturer on many bar association and law school continuing legal education programs.
"The Courtroom As A Short-Attention Span Theater," The National Law Journal, 2009.
"Using Demonstrative Evidence to Win," Trial Practice Journal, American Bar Association, 2008.
"In Closing: Strategies for Creating and Arming Friendly Jurors in The Closing Argument," Texas Bar Journal, April 2008.
In 2007,Trey co-authored "Triple-Threat Discovery Forms," which is a strategically interwoven collection of legal tools and resources designed to help attorneys gain an upper hand in litigation before entering the courtroom.
"In Defense of the Wind, Legal Challenges Facing Wind Power can be a Breeze with Proper Planning," a white paper analyzing legal challenges facing wind farm developments.Trey presented the white paper at the American Wind Energy Association's June 2007 international conference in Los Angeles and will speak again at the 2008 International Conference in Houston.
"Texas Wind Energy Will Be Breath of Fresh Air" guest commentary written by Trey Cox published by The Amarillo Globe-News July 15, 2007.
PRESENTATIONS AND TEACHING ENGAGEMENTS
He serves on the faculty of Southern Methodist University Law School and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. He has lectured throughout the country, and authored numerous legal articles, white papers, and books. Some representative articles and presentations include: Trey Cox's September 2007 article on wind energy development strategies published in the international wind energy trade magazine, Windtech International.
"Closing Argument - Arming Friendly Jurors With the Weapons to Fight for a Favorable Verdict," presented May 2004 at University of Houston Law Center – Litigation and Trial Tactics Seminars in Houston and Dallas.
"Cross Examination to Impeach: Can You Handle the Truth?," presented at University of Houston Law Center seminar in Dallas, February 2006.
"How to Offer and Exclude Evidence Seminar," February 2006, Dallas.
"Issues in a Civil Fraud Case," presented at Dallas Association of Certified Fraud Examiners fraud seminar May 2003.
"The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 From a Litigation Perspective," presented at DFW Texchange seminar, October 2002.
Education
Treyreceived a B.A., magna cum laude, from Washington & Lee University and his law degree from the University of Virginia, with honors.
Admissions
Treyis admitted to the State Bars of Texas and Georgia. He has litigated or tried cases all over Texas and arbitrated cases all over the country from San Francisco to Kansas City to Washington, D.C. In addition, he is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas, as well as the Northern District of Georgia.
Personal Background
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1970,Trey graduated from Washington & Lee University, magna cum laude, having been named the Wilkinson Scholar, a member of Phi Beta Kappa as well as Omicron Delta Kappa and awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award by the faculty. In 1995, he received his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he served as the Executive Editor of the Journal of Law & Politics. After serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, he began his practice in Atlanta, Georgia, with King & Spalding, representing Fortune 500 clients at both the trial and appellate court levels.Trey joined Lynn Tillotson Pinker & Cox, LLP in 1997.
Trey is married to Erin Nealy Cox, the head of the digital forensic firm Stroz Friedberg's Dallas office, and is the proud father of two girls, Amelia and Cate, with a third on the way.Trey gives generously of his time to the community as a Board Member of Girls, Inc., a division of the United Way.
