Biography

Cody Lee Vaughn writes briefs and manages litigation risk. Averse to legalese, Cody strives to distill complex legal concepts, statutory regimes, and expert witness testimony into plain English for judges, juries, and clients. For clients, this skill translates to clear advice connected to their real-world goals.

Clients trust Cody to take the pen and podium on major motions and appellate briefs and arguments because he knows how judges think. This trust has led to Cody authoring briefs in the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and D.C. Circuits and the Supreme Court of Texas. For example, the Supreme Court of Texas reversed in a Jackson Walker client’s favor based on Cody’s briefing on an open question of appellate procedure. Cody also closely tracks the Supreme Court of Texas mandamus and emergency motion practice, obtaining or preventing relief in critical, time-sensitive situations.

On top of drafting briefs, Cody has in-courtroom experience in state and federal courts and state agencies, including arguing motions for summary judgment and temporary restraining orders, taking witness testimony, and pro bono arguments in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of Texas. The Supreme Court of Texas argument can be viewed here, and resulted in a victory restoring the Mother’s parental rights.

As a quick study, Cody is comfortable in several substantive areas of the law–and is always eager to tackle a new one. He has experience with the Clean Air Act, TUFTA and federal fraudulent transfers, Texas regulatory regimes, bankruptcy, and internal business disputes. Before Jackson Walker, Cody served as a judicial law clerk to Justice Evan Young at the Supreme Court of Texas and wrote critical motions and appeals for a small boutique litigation firm in Austin.

Education

B.A., Indiana University Bloomington

J.D., magna cum laude, Indiana Maurer School of Law

• Order of the Coif
• Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design, Associate (2L) and Editor-in-Chief (3L)
• Moot Court Executive Board, Problem Writer (3L)
• Best Brief for Petitioner, Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition

Bar Admissions

Texas