Biography
Cory Curtis focuses his litigation practice on complex business disputes, construction cases, and injury defense. From prelitigation counseling to trial, Cory helps his clients achieve both their legal and business objectives.
Cory’s experience extends to a variety of litigation matters, including contract and business cases, fiduciary litigation, construction law matters, and trade secret / non-disclosure agreement disputes. Cory also defends equipment manufacturers, construction firms, and energy companies in product liability and injury cases alleging catastrophic injury and wrongful death in state and federal courts throughout the country.
Education
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law – J.D., 2003
- Hope College – B.A., 1999
Representation Experience
- Secured jury verdict for client on claim for breach of fiduciary duty after five-day trial against defendant financial advisor in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado by showing that financial advisor breached his fiduciary duties to client by aiding in transfer of client’s funds despite multiple red flags.
- Prevailed in seven-day administrative law trial before Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings for Class 8 truck manufacturer by showing manufacturer’s good cause to reduce dealer’s area of responsibility because of dealer’s poor sales and service performance and successfully defended case on appeal.
- Secured jury verdict and awarded attorney’s fees and costs for drilling company client in case involving breach of the International Association of Drilling Contractor’s form contract in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Prosecuted the drilling company’s breach of contract case and defended against operator’s counterclaims for breach of contract.
- Prevailed in appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in a dealership termination dispute between an equipment manufacturer and an equipment dealer. The Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of the client that the dealer was not permitted to shield the federal case record from public access on concerns that publicity would harm the dealership. Rudd Equip. Co., Inc. v. John Deere Constr. & Forestry Co., 834 F.3d 589 (6th Cir. 2016).
- Secured jury verdict for publicly traded engineering and manufacturing company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado by arguing that the client’s carbon steel boat steering cable design was not defective, and the jury should decide that issue using the risk-benefit test, not the consumer expectation test. Defended verdict on appeal. Kokins, et al. v. Teleflex Inc., 621 F.3d 1290 (10th Cir. 2010).
- Awarded summary judgment for component part supplier in a California federal court strict product liability and fraud case involving a failed microtunnel boring machine. Nada Pacific Corp. v. Power Engineering & Mfg., Ltd., 73 F. Supp. 3d 1206 (N.D. Cal. 2014).
- Awarded summary judgment in favor of an engineering client in case involving alleged storage silo failures by arguing the parties’ contracts defeated claims for third-party beneficiary status and implied warranty in a Pennsylvania federal court. Lone Star Industries, Inc. v. Besser Company, Civ. Action No. 11-1481, 2013 WL (April 17, 2013, E.D. Pa.).
- After nearly a decade of litigation in New York state court, secured agreement to transfer venue to arbitration and later won defense award for manufacturer facing claims by former partner over a failed joint venture to sell equipment to factories in Greece.
- Awarded summary judgment for publicly traded engineering and manufacturing firm in catastrophic injury and quadriplegia products liability case in Maricopa County, Arizona, by defeating plaintiffs’ causation theory where plaintiffs sought more than $30 million in damages.
- Awarded summary judgment for equipment seller in a warranty case in New York County, New York, by arguing the buyers’ claims were barred by the statute of limitations. The buyers were required to pay for the goods and the installation services the client provided in China.
- Led defense of cross border dispute in Harris County District Court involving claims against Mexican dairy company client brough by client’s U.S. and Mexican distributors over failed business venture in Texas. Secured settlement for client that ended litigation and terminated the client’s U.S. and Mexican distributor agreements with distributors.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
- Collignon and Curtis Speak on “Interviewing for Diversity Scholarships” at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (11/1/2013)
Memberships & Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Colorado Bar Association
- Texas Bar Association
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of Colorado
- United States District Court: District of Nebraska
- United States District Court: Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court: District of Colorado
- United States District Court: Northern, Eastern & Southern District of Texas
- United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth & Tenth Circuits
Community Involvement
- Board Member, Alumni Council, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2016-present)
- Chairman, Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission (2012-2014)