In 1891, Wilcox took the landmark case of Briggs v. Spaulding to the Supreme Court and with it, established the liability for negligence of directors of national banks. The case, which was decided on May 25, 1891, involved the First National Bank of Buffalo and its directors, Reuben Porter Lee, Francis E. Coit, Elbridge G. Spaulding, William H. Johnson, and Thomas W. Cushing. The case was brought by Anne Vought as executrix of John H. Vought, and Frank S. Coit and Joseph C. Barnes, as administrators of Charles C. Coit, former directors.