Trey Cox
Partner
P: 214.981.3813
vCard: Trey Cox
Commercial and Business Litigation, with particular emphasis in Class Actions, Intellectual Property, and Professional Negligence
Trey Cox has a passion for outstanding advocacy and courtroom excellence, passions that have been recognized by his peers in local, state and national surveys designed to identify exceptional legal talent. He represents clients in high-stakes business disputes. His experience in jury trials has earned him the distinction Board Certified Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Representative Trials
In July 2007, Mr. Cox 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, Mr. Cox 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, Mr. Cox 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.
In 2002, Mr. Cox obtained a jury verdict in a breach of contract and tortious interference claim. Mr. Cox’s client was an independent seller of Cast Stone, a refined architectural concrete building unit manufactured to simulate natural cut stone. The client had sought to enforce a "no-poaching" agreement designed to prohibit the supplier from selling directly to the client’s customers.
Appellate CASES
When a district judge denied a request to include attorneys’ fees for his client in a homeowner-related case, Mr. Cox appealed to the Fifth Circuit and obtained a ruling awarding award attorneys’ fees to his client.
In a securities case, Mr. Cox obtained a summary judgment on behalf of his client and later defended it on appeal. In the underlying case, Mr. Cox’s client sought to enforce a personal guarantee attached to a distressed security purchased from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
personal litigation philosophy
I focus exclusively on business disputes. I do not aim to be all-things to all clients. I don't write wills, draft corporate paperwork or document transactions. I offer extensive courtroom experience, laser focus and incisive judgment to what I do best.
I strive to analyze the business side of each case. My goal is to solve business problems, not just argue legal issues. I bring a business-centric focus to my cases and work closely with each client to achieve the best outcome for that client's business.
I work for expedient and effective results. My record of trials and appeals speaks for itself. Clients expect results. Opponents respect results.
I practice law with passion. I have a real passion for the practice of law. I enjoy developing a legal analysis that helps my clients, and I will go the extra mile that often makes the difference between winning and losing. Clients want to hire the right lawyer, and my tireless energy makes the difference.
I work closely with clients. I develop close relationships with my clients. I want to know my client's business and understand their concerns. By practicing at an elite litigation boutique, I am free from big-firm issues and can invest in and focus on my clients and their needs. At Lynn Tillotson & Pinker, we offer the talent and benefits of a mega-firm, without the bureaucracy and overhead.
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
Recognized by D Magazine as a Best Lawyer Under 40 for the third consecutive time; a 2005, 2004 and 2003 Super Lawyer; 2002 Texas Rising Star; and by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the "10 Metroplex Litigators Worth Having on Your Side."
More recently, the Dallas Business Journal has recognized Mr. Cox as among the "Best and Brightest Business Leaders" in its annual 40 under 40 survey. Mr Cox has also been recognized nationally by the legal publication Lawdragon as one of 500 "New Stars" in American Law.
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Sample Writing & Teaching
Mr. Cox serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and has lectured throughout Texas on topics including trial advocacy, trial strategy and complex litigation. He has also lectured on and published articles related to legal challenges facing wind energy developments. 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.
In 2007, Mr. Cox co-authored "Triple-Threat Discovery Forms," by Trey Cox and Rogge Dunn, 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. Click here to learn more.
"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. Mr. Cox 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. Click here to read
"Texas Wind Energy Will Be Breath of Fresh Air" guest commentary written by Trey Cox published by The Amarillo Globe-News July 15, 2007. Click here to read
"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. Click here to read
"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. Click here to read
"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
Mr. Cox received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Washington & Lee University and his law degree from the University of Virginia, with honors.
Admissions
Mr. Cox is admitted to the State Bars of Texas and Georgia. He has litigated or tried cases all over Texas, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Abilene, Tyler, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi and McAllen. He has 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, Mr. Cox 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. Mr. Cox joined Lynn Tillotson Pinker & Cox, LLP in 1997.
Trey is married to Erin Nealy Cox, who is an Assistant United States Attorney focusing on white collar crime, and is the proud father of two girls, Amelia and Cate. Mr. Cox gives generously of his time to the community as a Board Member of Girls, Inc., a division of the United Way.
National Law Journal Selects LTP Second Time in Four Years for success in trying The Defense Win of the Year 2002
Defense attorney Michael P. Lynn promised jurors that they would dislike one of his most important witnesses. The man at the heart of the defamation case they were hearing might very well be the worst witness ever, the attorney warned the Dallas jury.
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