McClellon Don Cox III
McClellon Don Cox III
McClellon Don Cox III
Biography
McClellon “Don” Cox brings extensive litigation experience to his law practice, having served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia. While working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Don gained first-chair federal jury trial experience and was the lead attorney for various criminal investigations including organized crime, drug trafficking, bank robberies and violent crimes. As a federal prosecutor, Don led teams of multiple law enforcement agencies including FBI, DEA, HSI, and ATF.
Prior to his government service, Don was an associate at a mid-sized law firm where he represented numerous Fortune 100 and 500 companies in state and federal court and in various arbitration fora. Don has a diverse practice that includes business disputes, securities and financial services litigation, criminal investigations, and mass tort and environmental litigation that spans across a variety of industries.
Don has established himself as a proven advocate in dynamic and fast-paced environments. Don is experienced in all phases of the litigation process, including pre-lawsuit investigation, negotiation, pre-trial motion practice, depositions, trials and appeals. With a strong track record of success, Don is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to clients.
Civic Involvement & Honors
- Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (2024)
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – Ohio (2023)
- Ohio Super Lawyers: Rising Star (2023)
- Coach, National Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, National Black Law Students’ Associations, First Runner-Up (2023)
- Coach, Regional Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, National Black Law Students’ Associations, Champions (2023)
- Competitor, National Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, National Black Law Students’ Associations, Second Runner-Up (2019)
- Competitor, Regional Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, National Black Law Students’ Associations, Second Runner-Up (2019)
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Georgia, Member
Admissions
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Georgia, 2024
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Ohio, 2020
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U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Education
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Case Western Reserve University, J.D., Order of the Barristers, 2019
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Morehouse College, B.A., cum laude, 2016
Related Capabilities
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Class Actions & Mass Torts
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Environmental and Toxic Tort
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Business & Commercial Disputes
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Experience
- As a federal prosecutor, obtained first-chair federal jury trial experience in prosecutions involving drug trafficking and other federal criminal matters.
- Represented broker dealers in enforcement actions brought by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Securities.
- Secured numerous dismissals on behalf of a Fortune 500 company and its subsidiary as first and second chair advocate in Form U4/U5 expungement proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
- Sat second chair in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association involving a dispute between members of a limited liability company regarding the sale and dissolution of the LLC.
- Obtained dismissal at summary judgment stage on behalf of an international retailer in tort litigation matter. Successfully defended dismissal in the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals, drafting the merit brief and making oral argument. Lacher v. Circle K d/b/a Mac’s Convenience Store’s LLC, 2023 Ohio 1262 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
- Represented company in investigation and lawsuit for fraud and breach of contract related to the purchase of a home healthcare company that concealed the fact that it was under federal investigation during due diligence.
- Defended a Fortune 500 home improvement company in a breach of warranty case with claims under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.
- Obtained a default judgment on behalf of an Ohio transportation company against an Arizona limited liability company in a breach of contract litigation and assisted local counsel in collection action in Arizona.
- Defended a large manufacturer of commercial roofing materials in trade-secrets litigation.
Resources
Publications
- “Mandatory Arbitration Agreements after the U. S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis,” Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys Employment Law Committee Update, June 2018
Speaking Engagements
- Career as a Federal Prosecutor (Panelist), William Henry Hastie, Jr. Federal Judiciary Week, National Black Law Students’ Association, October 16, 2024