F. Jerome Tapley

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.