- More than 30 years of litigating cases throughout the U.S.
- Voted Super Lawyer each year since 2005
- Voted Super Lawyer Top Lawyers in Ohio and Top 50 in Columbus
- Awarded Distinction of America’s Best Lawyers
- Selected by peers to receive President’s Award for Excellence
- Served on Boards of Ohio Association for Justice and Central Ohio Association for Justice
- Frequent lecturer on trial topics
- Proud father of four daughters
Some of Rex’s high-profile cases include representing Keziah Lewis who was seriously injured in the Fireball accident at the Ohio State Fair, the Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith in the investigation into allegations that an assistant football coach allegedly engaged in domestic violence, and cases that led to the resignation of Ohio’s Attorney General and the Franklin County Clerk of Courts. Rex has also argued successfully in the Ohio Supreme Court and numerous state and federal appellate courts.
Under Rex’s leadership, Cooper Elliott’s track record of success continues today, not only in wrongful death and serious and catastrophic personal injury litigation, but in commercial, contract, legal and medical malpractice, civil rights, and employment litigation as well. Since the firm’s inception, Rex has been directly involved in more than a half billion dollars in verdicts and settlements. Rex believes that Cooper Elliott is different from other plaintiff’s litigation firms due to the collaborative and comprehensive approach he demands from all members of the firm. Every case is pursued through a team approach.
Rex says, “when you retain Cooper Elliott, you don’t just get me, but you get the wealth of our resources and team — which I think is one of the best — and we have the legal and financial resources to pursue any matter and are willing to do so to achieve a client’s cause. We strongly prefer to take on matters that we can pursue on a contingency fee basis because we believe that partnering with our clients and making our success equal to achieving our client’s objectives to be the only true approach to practicing law. We strive to deliver service and satisfaction to our clients that most firms do not even consider when taking on a case.”
Before co-founding Cooper Elliott, Rex practiced with the Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, and then Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, where he represented Fortune 100 companies in complex and high-profile civil litigation matters. He found the practice of representing faceless corporations with deep pockets unfulfilling and decided that he wanted to dedicate his life to helping individuals and businesses that needed protection from those in positions of extreme power. This was the catalyst that resulted in Rex leaving “big law firms” in 1995 and co-founding Cooper Elliott with Chip Cooper to protect individuals and business owners. Rex says, “we are not a high volume practice. We carefully select our cases and when you retain Cooper Elliott, you’re not just a number. Rather, you are our priority and we will handle your legal matter as if you were a family member. You will get an empathetic voice from your first call and a team of warriors to take on your legal matter.”
“I want to protect my clients and make a real difference in their lives. I left big law firms because I did not find representing faceless corporations with deep pockets fulfilling. My number one job is to protect my clients and to make sure they get the results they want.”
Representative Verdicts and Settlements
- $3,664,186 Jury Verdict for the family of a man electrocuted by faulty wiring installed by an HVAC company.
- $5,999,100 Jury Verdict for the abuse of a child by a volunteer at a church-operated daycare.
- $5,725,500 Jury Verdict for the death of a young mother and injuries to her husband in an automobile accident.
- $7,568,795 Jury Verdict award plus attorney fees and interest for the family of a motorcyclist killed in a crash.
- $2,825,000 Jury Verdict for college student who suffered hearing loss when beaten outside a campus bar.
- $2,700,000 Settlement for injuries caused by excessive use of force by police officers.
- $2,500,000 Settlement for the family of a mother killed in a car crash by a drunk driver.
- $1,787,108 Jury Verdict award plus attorney fees for the family of a motorcyclist killed by a careless tractor-trailer driver.
- $4,473,000 Jury Verdict for breach of contract and business interference.
- $3,500,000 Jury Verdict for breach of a contract to sell real estate for development.
- $2,300,000 Settlement for an individual wrongly deprived of royalties.
- $3,165,000 Settlement for 10,500 Ohioans whose credit information was misused by TransUnion Corp.
- $2,200,000 Settlement for consumers against an insurance company that improperly charged premiums without first obtaining approval from the Ohio Department of Insurance.
- $1,200,000 Settlement for investors defrauded in viatical insurance investment scheme.
- $1,900,000 Settlement for the family of a 4-year-old child killed by a stove that the apartment complex had not secured.
- $2,607,000 Jury Verdict for the family of a patient whose doctor failed to provide proper care for her at Mount Carmel.
- $1,000,000 Settlement for the estate of a tow truck operator who was struck and killed while helping a stranded motorist.
- $1,100,000 Settlement for shoulder dystocia injury at birth due to the obstetrician’s negligence.
- $1,600,000 Settlement for the death of a man and injuries to his wife from a car accident.
- $1,000,000 Jury Verdict summary jury verdict for USDA inspector who was defamed by the owner of a company.
