Jeffrey L. Cox Esq.

Practice Areas

Mr. Cox is an AV Preeminent® rated attorney who concentrates in the areas of white collar investigations and proceedings, securities and other financial services regulation and enforcement, receivership litigation, complex civil litigation, securities arbitration, and whistleblower claims.

Professional Experience

Before becoming a founding partner, Mr. Cox served as a federal prosecutor (Assistant United States Attorney), a Senior Counsel for the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the SEC responsible for prosecuting SEC cases. As a federal prosecutor, Mr. Cox was responsible for leading complex investigations and prosecutions involving white collar criminal offenses such as securities fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and mail, wire, and bank fraud, among others. While at the SEC, Mr. Cox investigated and litigated civil enforcement and administrative proceedings involving violations of the federal securities laws, including insider trading, corporate and offering fraud, and market manipulation.

With trial experience in both civil and criminal matters, Mr. Cox has represented individuals and entities nationwide in investigations and/or proceedings involving the DOJ, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, FTC, Congressional subcommittees, and various states. Mr. Cox has also has been involved in numerous receivership actions and served as the lead counsel to a Court-appointed Receiver in connection with an $80 million Ponzi scheme. He represents investors and professionals in complex civil actions. Since entering private practice, he has been recognized by his peers with an AV Preeminent® rating through Martindale-Hubbell, in Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite, in South Florida Legal Guide, and as a Florida Super Lawyer. Mr. Cox teaches White Collar Crime at FIU Law School.

Representative Cases

Served as the lead counsel for the Court-appointed Receiver in SEC v. JCS Enterprises, Inc., et al., Case No. 14-CV-80468-DMM (S.D. Fla. April 7, 2014), before the Honorable Donald M. Middlebrooks, United States District Judge.
Conducted and led an internal investigation in China for the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of a NASDAQ-listed company.
Served as counsel for the Court-appointed Receiver in Federal Trade Commission v. Student Debt Doctor, LLC et al., Case No. 17-CV-61937-WPD (S.D. Fla. Oct. 2, 2017).
Obtained judgments totaling more than $2.6 million for clients who were victim-investors after securing an ex-parte temporary injunction and asset freeze on an emergency basis.
Represented a physician in an insider trading case brought in by the SEC in federal court. After a two-week jury trial, the doctor was found not liable. SEC v. De La Maza, Case No. 09-21977-Civ-McAliley (S.D. Fla.). See the jury verdict form here.
Successfully represented a stock broker with employment-related claims against his former firm. After a full arbitration hearing, the broker was awarded $315,000. In the Matter of the Arbitration Between Michael Stephen Cohen and CIBC World Markets Corp., FINRA Case No. 06-04252. See the award here.
Defended an individual in a private, shareholder suit in federal court in Miami, which the Court dismissed. Kamin et al. v. Acord, et al., Case No. 09-22829-Civ-Jordan (S.D. Fla.).
Represented a doctor in an insider trading investigation and obtained a declination letter by the SEC.
As a federal prosecutor, convicted a corporate officer for conducting a $27 million Ponzi scheme with more than 2000 victims. Selected by Florida’s Department of Financial Services as one of the top 10 securities fraud scams that resulted in a conviction in 2003.
As a federal prosecutor, convicted a former stock broker for misappropriating investor funds and violating a permanent injunction. Selected by Miami New Times as the Best Criminal Conviction of 2005.
As an SEC Senior Counsel, Mr. Cox was involved in the prosecution of the fraudulent sale of viatical and life settlements that resulted in losses of $956 million to 28,000 investors worldwide. He participated in successfully litigating case, which created federal case law holding that viatical settlement contracts constitute investment contracts under the federal securities laws. See SEC v. Mutual Benefits Corp., 408 F.3d 737 (11th Cir. 2005).

Professional Awards and Activities

AV Preeminent® rated (the highest peer ranking) through Martindale-Hubbell.
Adjunct Professor, Florida International University College of Law.
Selected by peers as a Florida Super Lawyer, 2015-2023, (Rising Stars) 2009 and 2011-2012.
Selected by peers as Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite in 2020 and 2021.
Selected as one of South Florida Legal Guide’s “Top Attorneys” in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 – 2022 (Top Lawyers).
Awarded Certificate from FBI Director Robert Mueller for outstanding prosecutive skills and assistance for an undercover mutual fund operation named “Bermuda Short” in 2005.
Awarded Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General for critical support during the successful investigation and prosecution of FEMA fraud cases in 2005.
Received award from the United States Postal Inspection Service recognizing professionalism and dedication during investigations in 2004.
Received the SEC Chairman’s Award for Excellence in 2002 from former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt.
Member, Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni

Education

Mr. Cox received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University and his Juris Doctor degree with honors (Cum Laude) from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law.

During law school, Mr. Cox served as the Editor in Chief of the Nova Law Review, received the West Group Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award, and the Book Award in Trial Advocacy.

Bar Memberships and Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Florida Bar, 1999
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States Supreme Court

Community Service and Leadership

Mr. Cox is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale/Cypress Creek, 2017-2018. He has also served as the president of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale/Cypress Creek Charitable Fund, Inc., 2018-2019

As a Rotarian, Mr. Cox has a passion for community service. He has previously served on the Club’s Board of Directors and as the Chairperson for its Service Committee. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International has also named Mr. Cox as a Paul Harris Fellow.