Angela Kopet won summary judgment on behalf of her insurer in a declaratory judgment action in Bradley County Circuit Court.  The Plaintiff filed suit against the insurer claiming it owed him uninsured motorist coverage as a result of an automobile accident because he accepted the coverage during his meeting with the insurer’s agent.  He further claimed the insurance documents produced by the insurer were not correct as they did not contain the information he agreed to during his meeting with the agent and his name was spelled incorrectly.  The carrier was able to successfully show through counsel that Plaintiff denied UM Coverage electronically on his application, and that he had knowledge he rejected UM Coverage ten months before the accident occurred as it was clearly documented on the Declarations Page he received.  The Court agreed the evidence supported the insurer’s position and granted summary judgment.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

In May 2019, Angela Kopet and Brian Spitler were successful in the defense of their client who was involved in an automobile accident.  Their client drove his pick-up truck off the road to avoid a tractor trailer that pulled out onto the highway.  Plaintiff was hit by the pick-up truck and suffered injuries, including a below the knee amputation of his left knee.  After a five day jury trial, the jury found the trucking company and its driver 99.99% at fault for the accident.  The jury found Angela and Brian’s client only .01% at fault for the accident and responsible for $2,160 of the 21.6 million verdict.  (Post- trial motions currently pending).

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Cirina Kopet won summary judgment for an insurance company after filing a declaratory judgment action asking the Court for a ruling that there was no coverage available to an insured. The insured had been delivering pizzas for his employer, but detoured before his return trip to his employer's restaurant to run a personal errand. After running the errand,, he was involved in a multi-vehicle automobile accident that resulted in multiple claims and lawsuits being filed by various parties. Angela argued that the insured's policy of insurance contained multiple exclusions that precluded coverage for the accident, claims and lawsuits. After oral arguments, the Court agreed and ultimately found that the insurance policy was not in effect due to the limitations imposed by the insurance policy. The motion for summary judgment was granted on behalf of the insurance company.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Brian Spitler and Angela Kopet inherited the defense of four corporate entities from prior counsel who were sued by five Plaintiffs after an automobile accident. Plaintiffs alleged that the corporations were responsible for the actions of a hit and run driver on the basis of negligent entrustment, vicarious liability, principles of agency and respondeat superior, ownership of the vehicle, joint venture, fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other matters. Plaintiffs also requested punitive damages. Prior counsel filed motions for summary judgment asking the Court to dismiss all four corporate entities and the motions were denied by the Judge. After inheriting the file and the defense of the corporate entities, Brian and Angela were able to track down the hit and run driver and obtain an Affidavit from him that outlined he was not driving a vehicle owned by any of the corporate defendants. This Affidavit along with case law that countered the remaining allegations alleged by the Plaintiffs, resulted in the court ultimately granting the motion for summary judgment and dismissing Brian and Angela’s clients from the case.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

After a vehicle was driven through the home of Plaintiff causing alleged bodily injury to her person, Plaintiff alleged our client was responsible for the actions of the driver under the theories of agency and/or the family purpose doctrine and requested compensatory and punitive damages. Angela Cirina Kopet with the assistance of Graham Thompson, was able to win summary judgment for her client by successfully presenting to the State Court in Georgia that her client was not the owner of the vehicle and did not exert any agency or control over the vehicle in question.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Kopet successfully defended a client involved in a motor vehicle accident whom entered a highway and struck the side of plaintiff’s car. Plaintiff thereafter lost control and flipped her car down an embankment. Plaintiff sought $500,000 in damages. At trial Angela admitted her client struck Plaintiff’s car, but argued that it was a minor impact and Plaintiff should have been able to remain on the roadway after the impact. Instead, she lost control of her vehicle which was the cause of the damages.  The jury returned a verdict finding Plaintiff 40% at fault for the accident and awarded $28,000 in damages.  After calculating the comparative fault of Plaintiff, the verdict was in the amount of $16,800, less than 4 % of the amount sought by plaintiff.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Plaintiff brought a lawsuit against an insurance company alleging breach of contract and bad faith per T.C.A. section 56-7-105 and asking for damages based on same. Plaintiff testified at trial and after being crossed by Angela Kopet rested her case.  Before putting on proof, Ms. Kopet requested the dismissal of the insurance company outlining the reasons plaintiff had failed to prove its case against her client. The Judge granted the motion dismissing the case and finding the plaintiff had not proven her case.  No proof was required by the insurance company.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Cirina Kopet and Graham Thompson obtained a dismissal for their client.  Plaintiff filed suit claiming injuries in a car accident and requested damages in excess of $350,000.  The Plaintiff non-suited their case before trial.  When it was re-filed a year later, it was longer than the time frame permitted under the Tennessee Rules.  Graham Thompson was able to successfully argue before the Circuit Court that the Plaintiff missed the deadline for re-filing the lawsuit.  The Circuit Court agreed and the case was dismissed with prejudice and costs were awarded to our client.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Plaintiff brought a lawsuit against an insurance agent and an insurance company alleging breach of contract, fraud, negligence, negligent supervision, violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and asking for damages based on the contract, treble damages for violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, punitive damages and attorney fees.  Plaintiff testified and called the insurance agent as her witness.  The plaintiff and the agent presented their proof, and all parties had the ability to cross the witnesses for said parties.  After her cross examination of plaintiff and the agent, Angela Cirina Kopet requested the dismissal of her insurance company client outlining the reasons plaintiff had failed to prove its case against said company.  After a brief recess, the Judge granted the motion dismissing the insurance company with prejudice.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

On December 14, 2015, a Davidson County judge returned a defense verdict for a client represented by Angela Cirina Kopet.  The case involved a multi-vehicle automobile accident.  Plaintiffs alleged that the party defendant slammed on their brakes causing the accident.  A counter claim was filed alleging the fault rested solely with the Plaintiff, and the Court concurred.  The Court decided that the Plaintiff should pay for all of the defendant’s property damage, and reimburse the defendant’s insurance company for payments they made in reference to the accident.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Cirina Kopet moved for summary judgment on behalf of a restaurant after one plaintiff alleged he sustained severe burns and physical pain and another plaintiff alleged emotional distress.  Ms. Kopet asserted that the evidence failed to establish the business (1) had notice of any dangerous conditions, and (2) did not maintain a reasonably safe condition for plaintiffs.  After oral arguments, the Circuit Court agreed and dismissed the claims of both plaintiffs on October 9, 2015.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Kopet has experience defending companies involved in product liability litigation.  This includes food products and merchandise.  She has also been involved with multi-district litigation.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Kopet has experience defending various grocery stores, hotels and retailers in premises liability cases.  These cases include slip/trip and fall, personal injury, false arrests, assault & batteries, property damage and injuries from food products or merchandise.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Kopet has represented and provided defense for a variety of clients in insurance coverage litigation.  She has issued coverage opinions on a wide range of coverage issues.  She has filed declaratory judgment actions and has also defended insurance companies in declaratory judgment actions.  She has also  performed examinations under oath and prepared opinions regarding fraud and cancellation of insurance policies.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Angela Kopet has defended clients in general liability cases, including automobile & truck accidents, personal injury and property damage.

For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.

Several CSKL Attorneys attended the four (4) day 2019 The CLM Claims College located in Baltimore, MD.  Angela Kopet returned to the Faculty in the School of Casualty and to the School of Leadership as a member of the Executive Committee.  Melissa Bailey, Angela Kopet and Kathy Carlsten attended the THEMIS dinner following the college. The CLM Claims College features more than 80 collaborative educational sessions and keynote presentations designed by industry professionals to help attendees gain the knowledge they need to be on the forefront of the industry. For more information on the CLM or Claims College, please click here.

Melissa Bailey, Will Farley and Andy Yoho attended the CLM Claims College held from September 5-8 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront (Conference Hotel), 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Angela Kopet was asked to return as a faculty member for the Claims College's School of Casualty Claims, Angela taught Level 2: Case Resolution: Development of a Negotiation Strategy. In addition, Angela was named to the CLM's Executive Council for the School of Leadership for 2018, one of four positions supervising courses within the the Claims College School of Leadership. The CLM Claims College features more than 80 collaborative educational sessions and keynote presentations designed by industry professionals to help attendees gain the knowledge they need to be on the forefront of the industry. For more information on CLM or Claims College, click here.

Several Carlock, Copeland & Stair attorneys were selected to speak at The CLM's (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance) 2018 Annual Conference in Houston, Texas. The CLM Annual Conference is the premier event for professionals in the claims and litigation management industries. This year's Annual Conference was March 14-16 at the Marriott Marquis, Houston. Doug MacKelcan's March 15 presentation was entitled, Challenges Faced When Sending the Non-Profit Employee Overseas. Angela Kopet presented, To Apologize or Not To Apologize, That is the Question on March 15. Lee Weatherly's session of March 15 was entitled, Defending Foreign Born Doctors in Today's United States. Patrick Norris presented, Upping Your Mediation Game, It Doesn't Have to Be What it Used to Be! on March 15. For more information on The CLM Organization or this year's conference, please click here.

Kristen K. Thompson joined Angela Kopet at The CLM and Business Insurance's 2018 Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Conference in Dallas, Texas.  This year's conference was held from February 7-9.  The conference has been fully reinvented, offering unprecedented access to knowledge leaders in the retail, restaurant and hospitality claims resolution profession.

Angela Kopet was named to the CLM 2017 Claims College faculty, which Carlock Copeland sponsored. Claims and Litigation Management Alliance's (CLM) 2017 Claims College was in Baltimore, MD, September 6-9, 2017.  Angela taught in the School of Leadership - Leading Through Change & Adversity, on Friday September 8, 2017 and the School of Casualty Claims - Level 2: Case Resolution: Development of Negotiation Strategy, also on Friday September 8, 2017. Patrick Norris attended as our sponsor representative and Lee Weatherly was in attendance, as a member of CLM Claims College's Medical Malpractice and Health Care Sub-Committee. Melissa Bailey, Will Farley and Andy Yoho  all attended as students. The CLM Claims College features more than 80 collaborative educational sessions and keynote presentations designed by industry professionals to help attendees gain the knowledge they need to be on the forefront of the industry.             Pictured are Patrick Norris and Andy Yoho, both attorneys in our Charleston office, at the Carlock Copeland sponsor table.

Angela Kopet participated in a panel presentation at the CLM Annual Conference at 10:10 a.m. today. Her presentation was entitled, The Glass Ceiling: Does it Still Exist in the Workplace?

SESSION 1 - The Glass Ceiling — Does it Still Exist in the Workplace?

Takeaways:

Angela Kopet participated in a presentation To Apologize or Not to Apologize, That is the Question at the CLM Conference at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York on December 1. Doug MacKelcan, Jack Daniel and Andrew Countryman attended. Please click here for the Press Release.

Angela Kopet participated in a Panel Discussion regarding The Value of Mentors at the Women’s Leadership Forum (CLM) in New York on October 6. Career mentoring is invaluable to both the mentor and the mentee. This panel will discuss various mentorship programs and relationships and the keys to a successful mentoring initiative. Whether your company or firm has a formal mentorship program or not, this panel will provide attendees with valuable information about how to incorporate mentoring into your culture and your career. Please click here to read the entire Press Release.

Carlock, Copeland was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the CLM 2016 Claims College, held at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront from September 7 to 10. The CLM Claims College featured more than 80 collaborative educational sessions and keynote presentations designed by industry professionals to help attendees gain the knowledge they need to be on the forefront of the industry. Angela Kopet presented The Level II course for Case Resolution – Development of a Negotiation Strategy in the School of Casualty and Level II: Property Evaluation in the School of Property. Angela Kopet, Patrick Norris, Doug MacKelcan, and Melissa Bailey attended.

Carlock Copeland was a proud sponsor of the 2016 CLM Atlanta held at the W Atlanta - Downtown, 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, Georgia  30308 from May 19-20. Angela Kopet, Doug MacKelcan, and Jack Daniel attended.

Dave Root, Angela Kopet, Lee Weatherly, Sarah Wetmore, and Patrick Norris attended the CLM Annual Meeting being held in Orlando, FL from April 6-8, 2016.

Angela Kopet attended CLM Greater Dallas Chapter Educational & Networking Event on February 25th. For more information, please click here.

CLM New York was held in New York on December 3.  Angela Kopet attended the event. CLM New York brings together industry experts and thought leaders for sessions in three tracks — Insurance Coverage, Extra-Contractual Conference — The event of the year for professionals who work in these areas. Top insurance leaders and outside counsel will share their insights on challenges and issues on important industry topics. This interactive conference will give attendees an opportunity to network with their peers in detailed discussions from both claims and legal perspectives on a broad range of essential and timely topics. Extra-contractual/bad faith issues are hot industry topics. Some of the brightest minds in the field have joined forces to create the CLM Extra-Contractual Conference. Top insurance leaders and outside counsel will share their insights on challenges and issues facing the industry. This highly interactive conference features sessions on:

• Utilizing Client/Counsel Collaboration to Achieve Resolution Goals
• Impact of Affordable Care Act
• Balancing the Interests of Multiple Carriers
• Improving Relationships with Defense Counsel
• Highlights and Observations of CLM Litigation Management Study

Angela Kopet attended the Litigation Management Institute held October 23 in New York. Click on the link below for more information: Litigation Management Institute

Angela Kopet attended the CLM Women's Leadership Forum held October 22nd in New York. Click here for more information:  

CLM Cyber Summit was held October 21 in New York. Click on the link below for more information: CLM Cyber Summit Seminar Information

Angela Kopet was selected as a finalist in the Outside Counsel category for the 2017 CLM Professionals of the Year Award. All finalists will be recognized during the CLM Annual Conference Opening Session on March 29 in Nashville – on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry! – and at that time, the winner will be announced.

Carlock, Copeland and Stair, LLP is a Gold Sponsor of the CLM 2016 Claims College, which will be held at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront from September 7 to 10. The CLM Claims College features more than 80 collaborative educational sessions and keynote presentations designed by industry professionals to help attendees gain the knowledge they need to be on the forefront of the industry. Angela Kopet to present The Level II course for Case Resolution – Development of a Negotiation Strategy in the School of Casualty scheduled for Friday, September 9th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Angela will also present Level II: Property Evaluation in The School of Property on Thursday, September 8th from 10:45 am – 12:15 pm.  Please click here for Press Release. Angela Kopet, Patrick Norris, Beth Bentley, and Melissa Bailey to attend. Please click here to read the Press Release.

Angela Kopet to attend CLM Greater Dallas Chapter Educational & Networking Event on February 25th. For more information, please click here.

Angela Kopet was selected by the American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA) as one of the Top 100 Litigation lawyers in the State of Tennessee for 2016 and invited to join said organization as a member. ASLA is an invitation-only legal organization.  Lawyers are invited when they combine stellar legal credentials with proven commitment to community engagement, leadership and the highest professional standards. Less than 1.5% of lawyers are selected nationally.

Angela Kopet participated in The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Claims College as a faculty instructor – Level 2 within the School of Property. The annual conference was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 9-12. The CLM Claims College is a true educational experience designed to help educate and grow the claims profession. Angela’s presentation topic was Property Evaluation.  

While attending the CLM's Annual Conference, Angela Kopet as well as others volunteered at Martha's Village and Kitchen in Palm Springs, CA. Martha’s Village & Kitchen is one of the largest providers of homeless services in the Coachella Valley and Riverside County, CA areas. Find out more about their services here.

Civil Litigation Firm Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP has opened a new office in Chattanooga, TN in addition to offices in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC. The Firm is expanding access to its suite of litigation and dispute resolution services in the areas of Appellate Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Education, Employment, Environmental, General Liability, Health Care, Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith, Product Liability, Trucking and Transportation, and Workers’ Compensation. Attorney Angela C. Kopet has joined the Firm and will be leading the expansion as Managing Attorney for the Chattanooga office.  Angela, a Top Rated Attorney in Georgia and Tennessee, will guide existing clientele into expanded relationships across the Southeast providing cost and productivity benefits as well as strengthening relationships with existing Carlock Copeland counsel.  In addition, she will seek to establish new connections in Tennessee and work to bring the Firm’s high quality, cost-effective legal services to an expanded base of insurers and insureds. Angela will be assisted by a number of Carlock Copeland attorneys currently licensed in TN. Angela C. Kopet has practiced in the area of general liability defense and insurance coverage since 1995. She successfully defends corporations, insurers and insureds in a wide variety of litigation matters in local and appellate courts throughout Georgia and Tennessee as well as federal courts in both states. She is also licensed in Washington D.C. Before being recruited to Carlock Copeland, Angela chaired the general liability department of a regional insurance defense firm and served as staff counsel for an automobile insurance carrier. Angela holds an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell and has received the highest AVVO rating available.  She is a Member of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance and is a frequent speaker at various seminars and events.   Angela has been honored with a Fellowship in the Litigation Counsel of America as well as being inducted into the Order of Juris for recognition of her trial experience, and the Order of Certus for her appellate work. Angela is a member of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association and a Charter Member of the Insurance Institute of America.  She is a former Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Automobile Committee and former President of the Southeast Legal Association of Women.

Insurance Coverage Corner Blog Post by Angela Kopet. This was my third year teaching at The CLM’s Claims College in Baltimore, MD. The Claims College first occurred in 2012 with some of the industry’s best professionals enlisted to create and teach courses. Back then, there were courses in three schools; however, this has now expanded to a total of eight three-level specialty schools and three one-level schools. Each level consists of pre-course reading materials, in-class instruction, group projects and an exam. Students complete classes to earn their CCP (Certified Claims Professional) designation, ACP (Advanced Claims Professional) designation, and/or a Certificate in Mediation, Extra-Contractual Claims or Leadership depending on the classes they take. Since its inception, hundreds of students have attended Claims College and earned the designations above. This year, I was asked to serve as a faculty member for the School of Casualty and the School of Leadership. As a member of the faculty for the School of Casualty, I was able to teach a Level 2 course titled “Case Resolution: Development of a Negotiation Strategy.” This course was designed to allow the students to take a disciplined approach to negotiation.  The course allowed the students to use the methods of principled negotiations and apply them to their own style. The class is very interactive and the students were very creative in how they handled each scenario. This was the School of Leadership’s inaugural year at Claims College. The CLM created it to “provide a comprehensive review of leadership theories and styles as well as practical information for leadership development.” I was honored to be asked to help create and then teach “Leading Through Change and Adversity” with the goal of introducing skills leaders need to lead Claims Resolution professionals through change.  It was a pleasure to work with each of the students during class, and proctor the oral presentation and exam at the end of all the courses. I really look forward to and enjoy being part of The CLM’s Claims College. Each year, I have the opportunity to teach and work with amazing leaders in the industry. I have met some amazing people in Baltimore, and I look forward to continuing to assist with the college in the future.   For more information or to subscribe to our Insurance Coverage Corner Blog, click here.

Angela Kopet to present at the CLM 2016 Claims College in Baltimore being held from September 7-10.  Please click here for the Press Release.

Angela Kopet will participate in a Panel Discussion regarding The Value of Mentors at the Women’s Leadership Forum (CLM) in New York on October 6 from 2:05 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.  Please click here for more information. Career mentoring is invaluable to both the mentor and the mentee. This panel will discuss various mentorship programs and relationships and the keys to a successful mentoring initiative. Whether your company or firm has a formal mentorship program or not, this panel will provide attendees with valuable information about how to incorporate mentoring into your culture and your career. Please click here for more information on this CLM event. Please click here to read the entire Press Release.

Ms. Angela Kopet participated in The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Claims College as a faculty instructor – Level 2 within the School of Property. The annual conference was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 9-12. The CLM Claims College is a true educational experience designed to help educate and grow the claims profession. Angela’s presentation topic was Property Evaluation.

Ms. Angela Kopet, Attorney, Carlock, Copeland and Stair, LLP will participate in The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Claims College as a faculty instructor - Level 2 within the School of Property. The annual conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 9-12. The CLM Claims College is a true educational experience designed to help educate and grow the claims profession. Angela’s presentation topic is – Property Evaluation. She is scheduled to present on Friday, September 11th at 9 a.m. Angela has been a member of CLM since 2009 and is currently a member of the Live Standards Committee. Angela has practiced in the area of general liability defense and insurance coverage since 1995. She successfully defends corporations, insurers and insureds in a wide variety of litigation matters in local and appellate courts throughout Georgia and Tennessee as well as federal courts in both states. She is also licensed in Washington D.C. Angela is a frequent speaker at various seminars and events and travels nationally to train her clients in various insurance and defense related topics including: Material Misrepresentation, Negotiations, Ethics, Subrogation, Examinations Under Oath, Comparative Negligence, Investigating Liability, Fraud, and Case Assessment. Angela has been honored with a Fellowship in the Litigation Counsel of America, a Trial Lawyer Honorary Society; open to less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. She has been inducted into the Order of Juris for recognition of her trial experience, and she was inducted into the Order of Certus for her appellate work. Angela has also been selected as a member of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association and is a Charter Member of the Insurance Institute of America.  She is a former Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Automobile Committee and former President of the Southeast Legal Association of Women. Angela holds an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Less than 5% of women lawyers have been recognized with this rating. She has also received the highest AVVO rating available.  She has been selected to the 2015 list as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. About the CLM The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) promotes and furthers the highest standards of claims and litigation management and brings together the thought leaders in both industries. CLM’s Members and Fellows include risk and litigation managers, insurance and claims professionals, corporate counsel, outside counsel and third party vendors. The CLM sponsors educational programs, provides resources and fosters communication among all in the industry. To learn more about the CLM, please visit www.theclm.org. Contact: Susan Wisbey-Smith, Communications Manager Claims and Litigation Management Alliance 847-317-9103 susan.wisbey-smith@theclm.org

Ryan Wilhelm, Angela Kopet, Kristen Thompson, Heather Miller and Sarah Wetmore presented "Updates in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee Law" at Carlock, Copeland & Stair's 7th Annual General Liability and Workers' Compensation Seminar at Turner Field on June 10, 2015.

Angela Kopet presented "Don’t Be Afraid of the Hourly Rate or the Alternative Fee Arrangement:  Put Together the Right Team and the Right Incentives." at the  CLM Annual Conference in Boca Raton, FL in 2014.

Angela Kopet presented "Swimming with the Sharks or Scuttled on the Shoals?  The Great Bill Debate." at the CLM Annual Conference in San Diego, CA in 2012.