For Jerome Tapley, the decision to become a lawyer was a deeply personal one. When he was a boy, a family member died in a work-place accident. Tapley witnessed first-hand how lawyers could make a difference in people’s lives. The trial lawyers who represented Tapley’s family successfully held the responsible party accountable for the tragedy. Tapley knew then he wanted to be a trial lawyer. His road toward achieving that goal was not easy, but hard work has never been an obstacle for Tapley.

Tapley was born in Alexander City, Alabama, a hard-working, cotton mill town that taught him the values of persistence, keeping his word, and doing his best. The lessons he learned from his community propelled him to become the first college graduate in his family, graduating from Auburn University Montgomery and earning his law degree through Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

Tapley, now a principal at Cory Watson Attorneys, focuses 100 percent on courtroom litigation, including Class Action, Mass Tort, and Products Liability litigation. He’s admitted all state and federal courts in Alabama and Florida.

When he’s not in court or at the offices of Cory Watson, Tapley devotes time to the Alabama Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. He and his family are members of Haven Field Community Church where he serves as Chairman of the Governing Board, the Elder Team.

Tapley’s hobbies include doing anything mechanical, woodworking, furniture building, hunting, and fishing. He particularly enjoys bird hunting with his dog, Duke. Though Tapley has a variety of hobbies and interests, one of his favorite quotes speaks to his hard-working background: “No one has ever drowned in sweat.”- Lou Holtz.