Cory represents clients in a wide array of complex litigation, as well as investigative, administrative and regulatory matters at the federal, state and local levels. Many of these matters have involved parallel criminal investigations, enforcement actions, suits by state attorneys general, and follow-on civil litigation. Having spent decades in the trenches as a front-line litigator, Cory is not only able to provide experienced guidance on substantive areas of law, but he can also flag potential issues before they spiral into real problems with high financial costs and reputational risks for his clients.
Over the course of his career, Cory has been at the forefront of high-profile cases involving Fortune 500 companies, elected officials, and financial institutions, successfully defending or prosecuting matters that resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements, payouts, and recoveries for his clients. He has a proven ability to master the facts and technical details of a case while also taking the broad view: He can anticipate how decisions made at the outset can be instrumental in achieving phased objectives and a favorable outcome.
As the first chair on multiple trial teams, Cory knows when to bring attorneys into the fold who have complementary strengths or whose particular insight is critical at different stages of the matter lifecycle and most conducive to a win for his clients in the end. His experience has taught him that each client matter calls for the right legal team. Cory is quick to attribute success in “Bet the Company” cases to the talent, teamwork, and professionalism of the attorneys at Frost Brown Todd.
Cory has significant appellate experience before the Supreme Court of the United States and in several of the federal courts of appeals. Cory has also represented clients in mediations, arbitrations, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
In recent years, Cory has emerged as one of the most reliable and relied-upon attorneys in complex, multi-party investigations, including allegations related to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) reporting in connection with investments and financial products. Cory also has substantial experience conducting internal corporate investigations encompassing the analysis of thousands of documents, multiple witness interviews, as well as the production of formal written reports and presentations for administrative review.
In addition, Cory routinely represents companies and individuals before federal agencies and departments, in both civil and criminal matters. Recently, he represented a large cryptocurrency legal platform in state proceedings and prepared a token issuer for SEC depositions. He has also helped clients navigate through several other types of investigations and actions, including securities enforcement, antitrust, accounting, and fraud, while also advising clients regularly on administrative and regulatory issues.
Cory is a proven problem-solver sought out by new and longstanding clients of the firm—valued as much for his subject-matter knowledge as his candor and foresight. He often works with in-house counsel and corporate leadership teams to adopt procedures and remedial measures that protect against disputes or increase the likelihood of success should another party bring suit or litigation be in his client’s best interests.
Cory’s record and reputation have earned him accolades from prominent industry publications, such Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America.
In addition to being an accomplished litigator, Cory has held several leadership positions at Frost Brown Todd, including a five-year stint as practice group leader for Business & Commercial Litigation. He is the former chair of the Recruiting Committee, a “Mentor of the Year” awardee, and the current chair of the firm’s Compensation Committee.
Cory is also a respected authority on election and legislative matters. He currently serves as the Kentucky Commissioner to the Uniform Law Commission and was reappointed by the governor to a second term on the Kentucky State Board of Elections.
Defending a national retailer in a state attorney general’s investigation and lawsuit (and follow-on class action lawsuits).
Defending a major accounting firm in a nationwide class action lawsuit; defending an international airline against antitrust claims in Multidistrict Litigation.
Enforcing a cable network’s ability to control the content of its programming; and challenging a city’s plan to build a new professional football stadium.
Twice challenging the legality of the SEC’s controversial mutual fund governance rule on behalf of a national business association.
Enforcing a nationwide class action settlement on behalf of a national managed care company.
Seeking to overturn a nationwide class certification order on behalf of a large automaker.
Defending the immunity of a national self-regulatory organization before an en banc court.
Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington, D.C., 2001-2008
Business & Commercial Litigation
Appellate Advocacy
Duke University School of Law, LL.M, 2000, with honors
Served on the Duke Law Journal
Moot Court Board
Princeton University, A.B., 1997, with honors
Law Clerk to the Honorable Eugene E. Siler, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2000-2001
Judicial Extern to the Honorable Danny J. Boggs, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Summer 1998
District of Columbia
Kentucky
Virginia
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2021
Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers®, 2022
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021-22
Louisville Business First, 20 People to Know Law
Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyer
Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Rising Stars®, 2015
Frost Brown Todd Mentor of the Year, 2012
Uniform Law Commission (National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws), Kentucky Commissioner, 2018-Present
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Pathfinder Program Facilitator, 2019
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Mentor
Kentucky Bar Association, 2008
District of Columbia Bar Association, 2002
Virginia State Bar, 2000
Princeton Alumni Association of Louisville, President, 2015-Present
Alumni Council of Princeton University, Executive Committee Member, 2017-2019
Alumni Association of Princeton University, Committee on Regional Associations, Member, 2017-2019
Leadership Louisville Program, Class of 2011
Louisville Bar Association Leadership Academy, Class of 2009
Friends of the Louisville Zoo, Past Board Member
Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group, Chair
Member Compensation Committee, Member
Nominating Committee, former Member
Recruiting Committee, former Member
Women’s Initiative Committee, former Member
January 31, 2022 | Press Releases
Kentucky Super Lawyers® awarded 39 Frost Brown Todd attorneys with its top two recognitions of the ...
August 19, 2021 | Press Releases
Additional 27 attorneys named “Ones to Watch” A total of 172 Frost Brown Todd (FBT) attorneys we...
May 26, 2021 | Press Releases
Publication gives 18 of the firm’s practice areas top rankings The 2021 edition of Chambers USA® ...
August 21, 2020 | Press Releases
Includes 15 “Lawyers of the Year” and 23 “Ones to Watch” A total of 183 Frost Brown Todd (FB...