Courtney M. Cox, D.Phil., focuses her practice on appeals and intellectual property. Courtney has a wide range of experience—including dispositive motions, trial experience, and appeals—for clients across industries from electronics and biotechnology to finance and fashion. She has also advised on pre-suit responses to demand letters involving both patents and copyright.
Courtney’s pro bono practice has included a case-winning deposition that identified hidden sources of income, briefs to the Supreme Court, and most recently, arguing on behalf of transgender individuals to secure name-change orders in complicated cases of first impression.
Before joining Ropes & Gray, Courtney served as a law clerk for the Hon. Sandra L. Lynch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She graduated with highest honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and was awarded the Edwin F. Mandel Award for her work with unaccompanied minors from China. Courtney holds a doctorate from Oxford, and was a dual major in Engineering Sciences (Electrical) and Ethics, Politics, & Economics at Yale. She is conversant in Mandarin.
EDUCATION :
- JD, highest honors, The University of Chicago Law School, 2014; Order of the Coif; Rubenstein Scholar; Kirkland & Ellis Scholar; Law Review; Edwin F. Mandel Award
- DPhil (Philosophy), University of Oxford, Corpus Christi College, 2012; Clarendon Scholar; Graduate Sidgwick Prize
- BPhil (Philosophy), Distinction, University of Oxford, Corpus Christi College, 2009
- BA (Engineering Sciences, Electrical; and Ethics, Politics & Economics), Magna cum laude with distinction, Yale University, 2006; Phi Beta Kappa; Francis Gordon Brown Memorial Prize; Vice-Commodore, Varsity Sailing Team
ADMISSIONS :
- Rhode Island, 2015
- Massachusetts, 2015
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2016
- U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, 2017
CLERKSHIPS : Honorable Sandra L. Lynch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONS :
- Boston Bar Association
- Rhode Island Bar Association
Experience :
- Represents major electronics manufacturer in cross-appeal pending before the Federal Circuit in a patent dispute relating to digital cameras.
- Represents major electronics manufacturer in appeal pending before the Third Circuit in breach of contract dispute.
- Part of a team that drafted an amicus brief on behalf of legal scholars supporting same-sex mother’s parental rights in the Supreme Court case of V.L. v. E.L., (U.S. No. 15-648), resulting in a sharply worded per curiam that granted certiorari and summarily reversed the judgment that had refused to recognize the mother’s rights.
- Part of a team that drafted a petition for certiorari on behalf of a defendant who pled guilty to low-level, non-violent bank fraud that carried an advisory sentence of under 5 years, but who was sentenced to 92 years based on a contested finding of murder by the district judge.
- Part of trial team that represented major electronics manufacturer in a six-day trial in the Eastern District of Texas. Responsibilities included arguing in district court, negotiating evidentiary objections, drafting post-trial briefing and motions, and advising on appellate strategy.
- Represented biotechnology company in a false advertising dispute between competitors. Responsibilities included drafting pleadings, pre-suit investigation, and managing expedited discovery to defend against a preliminary injunction.
- Secured removal of default and settlement as local counsel in insurance dispute for major insurance company. Responsibilities included drafting pleadings and motions, and presenting at court-ordered conferences.
- Deposed opposing party in child support dispute to identify undisclosed sources of income, resulting in quick and favorable settlement in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services.
Cost
Rate : $$$