Biography

What do a professional sports franchise, the owner of an NFL team, and an Emmy-award-winning television personality have in common?  They’ve all trusted Cody Martinez when the chips were down.

Cody is a Dallas-based trial and appellate attorney known for his creativity and ability to craft winning arguments in high-stakes and high-profile litigation.  His practice is broad by design, and includes experience handling complex lawsuits involving joint ventures, M&A disputes, partnership disputes, data center projects, fiduciary duties, federal regulatory issues, and First Amendment rights, among others.  To Cody, the subject area doesn’t matter—just the result.  And those results speak for themselves.  For example:

• Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC, et al., No. 24-CV-10049, 2025 WL 3085598 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 5, 2025) – Obtained dismissal of defamation and aiding-and-abetting claims filed by Blake Lively against a public relations firm and its principal.
• Alexandra Davis v. Jerral W. Jones, et al., No. 5:23-CV-00032-RWS, 2024 WL 2707952 (E.D. Tex. Mar. 13, 2024) – Obtained dismissal with prejudice of defamation claims filed against Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys, among others.

• Flight Training International, Inc. v. Federal Aviation Administration, 58 F.4th 234 (5th Cir. 2023) – Obtained an order granting a flight training operator’s petition for review and setting aside an improperly issued FAA rule.

Outside of litigation, Cody also has experience conducting sensitive internal investigations.  Although these investigations typically proceed on an expedited basis, Cody prides himself on producing thorough and detailed reports to ensure that his clients have the information they need to make informed and supportable decisions.

Before joining Jackson Walker, Cody gained valuable experience serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Renee H. Toliver of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  During his two-year term, he worked on significant cases involving intellectual property disputes, SEC enforcement actions, OFAC penalties, and class actions.  This experience provided Cody with a unique, 360-degree perspective on litigation, deepening his understanding of judicial reasoning and the elements that influence outcomes. He now leverages this experience for the benefit of his clients.

Education

B.A., Cornell University

J.D., The University of Texas School of Law

• Texas International Law Journal

Bar Admissions

Texas