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 workplace
accident. Jerome 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. Jerome Tapley knew then that 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 him.Jerome 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 learned from his community propelled
Jerome 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.
Jerome Tapley, now a principal at Cory Watson Attorneys, focuses 100
percent on courtroom litigation including Class Action, Mass Tort, and
Products Liability Litigation. He is admitted to all state and federal
courts in Alabama and Florida.
Jerome has been married to his high school sweetheart Kelli for 18
years. Kelli is a pediatrician and loving mom to their two daughters,
Madeline and Harper. On the weekends, you can find Jerome and his family
out quail hunting with their dog Duke, tending to their vegetable
garden or fly fishing. The Tapley family is active at Haven Field
Community Church, where Jerome serves as Chairman of the Elders and
hosts a weekly family small group at their home. Though Jerome 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.
HONORS, AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTSTop 40 Under 40 National Trial LawyersTop 100 Trial LawyersAV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated Martindale-HubbellSuper Lawyers, 2011-2016Omicron Delta Kappa, Leadership Honors SocietyOrder of Omega, Greek Honors SocietyCumberland School of Law, Trial Advocacy Board, Scholar of MeritAmerican Journal of Trial AdvocacyAuburn University Montgomery, Student Government, PresidentOmicron Delta Kappa; Sigma Phi Epsilon. Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy, 2001-2003. Member, Cumberland Trial Advocacy Board, 2002-2003. President, Student Government, 1998 -1999.
