Douglas W. Smith
Partner / Atlanta
Doug has practiced in the insurance defense arena for many years concentrating in the areas of Medical Malpractice, General Liability and Long Term Care.
Currently, he has a very active practice in the defense of doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors and long term care facilities. Doug also represents a number of hospitals in the State of Georgia. He has tried over fifty malpractice cases to a jury, and more than one hundred and thirty cases overall. He has represented over two hundred professionals before their respective Licensing Boards.
Doug has a very active general liability practice with solid experience in premises liability and automobile defense work. He also is handling a good number of coverage situations and has become quite experienced in defending bad faith/extra-contractual damages cases. More and more, Doug is providing counseling to a number of companies in an effort to keep them out of these perilous situations.
In addition to his active trial practice, Doug is a regular speaker at various Risk Management courses and has spoken at numerous seminars at the request of the Georgia Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Doug was Managing Partner of Copeland, Stair, Kingma & Lovell, LLP between 1994 and 1998. Since 2008, Doug has been named to the Georgia Super Lawyers® list in Atlanta Magazine and he is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Results
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner Obtain Summary Judgment for Client in Failure to Supervise Action
July 3, 2018
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained summary judgment on behalf of their client, an early learning and daycare center, in a negligent supervision case pending in the State Court of Gwinnett County. Plaintiffs, the parents of an injured minor, alleged that their daughter was seriously and permanently injured while at recess at daycare. However, Plaintiffs, purportedly relying on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor, pointed to no evidence of any negligent act or omission on the part of the defendant. The defense moved for summary judgment on these grounds, and the Court agreed.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Court of Appeals Affirms Grant of Summary Judgment to Home Hemodialysis Provider in Malpractice Case
March 12, 2018
The Court of Appeals affirmed a Gwinnett County trial court’s grant of summary judgment to a dialysis provider. Doug Smith and Claire Sumner represented the provider, who rendered home hemodialysis to a patient 2008. The 2010 lawsuit culminated in a 2016 summary judgment filing. The trial court determined that Plaintiff, the patient’s daughter, failed to establish both causation and damages in her malpractice case and dismissed the same in its entirety against the provider and other defendants. On appeal, Plaintiff/Appellant argued that her nephrologist expert had testified, via affidavit, that the provider’s care left the patient in a “further weakened state,” which testimony was sufficient evidence of causation to warrant denial of summary judgment. In response, Doug and Claire argued that this opinion, pursuant merely to the pleading standards of O.C.G.A. section 9-11-9.1, was contrary to the expert’s deposition testimony, which took precedence pursuant to O.C.G.A. section 9-11-56. In a succinct opinion, the Court of Appeals agreed, affirming the trial court’s decision and finding that the issues were controlled “adversely to the appellant for the reasons and authority given in the appellees’ brief.”
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Defense Verdict in Chiropractic Malpractice Case
October 17, 2017
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained a defense verdict in a chiropractic malpractice case in Cobb County, Georgia. Plaintiff alleged she suffered a cervical spine injury following multiple chiropractic adjustments in 2012 and sought to hold multiple chiropractors liable for professional negligence and via respondeat superior. She sought pain and suffering damages in the amount of $1 million. The defense argued that Plaintiff failed to prove causation, and after less than an hour of deliberation, the jury agreed and returned a defense verdict.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Dismissal Obtained for Practitioner and Professional Corporation in Malpractice Case
September 8, 2017
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained dismissal for a chiropractor and his practice in a malpractice case filed in the State Court of Muscogee County where Plaintiff alleged she suffered a spinal cord injury requiring hospitalization with lasting paralysis following two instances of negligent care and treatment by the chiropractor. After years of litigation, Doug and Claire filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that Plaintiff had failed to provide sufficient causation testimony linking the alleged negligence to Plaintiff's injury.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner Obtained Summary Judgment for Dialysis Provider in Medical Malpractice Case
February 28, 2017
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained summary judgment in Gwinnett County in favor of a dialysis provider that provided home hemodialysis to a patient. The Plaintiff in the case argued that her deceased mother received substandard dialysis care from the provider, among other defendants. The Plaintiff also alleged claims of fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, failure to warn, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, civil conspiracy, and punitive damages against the provider. In a two-part hearing, Doug and Claire argued that Plaintiff’s expert had failed to establish proximate causation for the medical negligence claims and that the remaining claims lacked evidence of actual damages. The Court agreed and granted the provider’s motion.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Summary Judgment for Chiropractor in Malpractice Case
October 16, 2016
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained summary judgment in Gwinnett County on behalf of a chiropractor, who employed a massage therapist. The Plaintiff argued that the therapist had provided negligent care and treatment and that the chiropractor had negligently trained and supervised her. Doug and Claire argued that the Plaintiff failed to prove that the chiropractor knew or should have known that the therapist engaged in prior acts relevant to the Plaintiff’s claimed injuries. The Court agreed that there was an absence of evidence sufficient to show that the therapist had a tendency to engage in the allegedly negligent behavior and granted the chiropractor’s motion.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Dismissal Obtained for Chiropractor in Malpractice Case
December 21, 2015
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner obtained dismissal for a chiropractor in a malpractice case filed in the State Court of Effingham County where the Plaintiff alleged he had suffered a disc herniation requiring emergency surgery following negligent care and treatment by the chiropractor. After extensive discovery efforts, Doug and Claire filed a motion to dismiss based on Plaintiff’s egregious discovery abuses. Agreeing with Doug and Claire that the Plaintiff’s repeated discovery abuses warranted sanctioning, the Court granted the chiropractor’s motion and dismissed the case with prejudice.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Settlement Enforced Following Dispute After Mediation
November 24, 2015
Doug Smith and Claire Sumner secured a settlement at mediation on behalf of a driver in an automobile collision. The Plaintiff failed to appear at the mediation, but opposing counsel advised that she was in touch with the Plaintiff and had obtained settlement authority to proceed; the case settled. Thereafter, the Plaintiff refused to sign the settlement paperwork. Doug and Claire filed a motion to enforce in the Superior Court of Jackson County, Georgia, arguing that the settlement was valid. The Court not only agreed but also awarded attorney’s fees cast against the Plaintiff.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Smith and Owens Defeat Wrongful Eviction Claims
July 15, 2015
Doug Smith and Will Owens won affirmance of summary judgment in a wrongful eviction case. The plaintiff claimed wrongful eviction and conversion of more than $500,000 worth of personal property. Will convinced the trial court that the landlord had complied with eviction law even though the writ of possession was later vacated by the magistrate court. The Court of Appeals ultimately agreed and held that a landlord who follows all the law for executing a writ of possession may not be held liable in tort just because the writ was later vacated.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
$5.6M Verdict Reversal in Wrongful Death Case
September 23, 2013
In June 2012, a couple was awarded $5,670,942.60 by a Paulding County jury in the case of Williamson v. Turner. This wrongful death case concerned their son who was killed when the jeep in which he rode was hit by a car driven by the insured Turner. Turner was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the incident, and it was a clear liability accident. The insurance company immediately offered the limits of $25,000 and sent opposing counsel a limited liability release containing some indemnification language and other language which Plaintiffs found offensive. Opposing counsel ultimately declined to accept the limits and sued Turner and the insurer, even though the writings showed that a settlement for the limits had been made. After answering the complaint, the defendant, through his counsel, Douglas W. Smith, moved the court for an order enforcing what he believed to be a settlement between the parties. The judge in Paulding County disagreed and denied the motion. After the verdict and judgment, Doug appealed directly to the Georgia Court of Appeals which reversed the trial court decision on February 28, 2013. The Court held that the writings did in fact show a “meeting of the minds” and that a settlement had occurred. The details of the release were to be worked out. Plaintiffs applied for certiorari to the Georgia Supreme Court which was denied on September 23, 2013.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Summary Judgment Obtained in Wrongful Death Case
June 15, 2011
Doug Smith won Summary Judgment and obtained dismissal of a highly contentious wrongful death case brought under the Family Purpose Doctrine after he proved there was no evidence of a common law marriage or other family relationship.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Defense Verdict Obtained Under Georgia’s Equine Activities Act
February 10, 2010
In February, 2010, Doug Smith obtained a defense verdict under Georgia's Equine Activities Act. The plaintiff was thrown from a horse prior to her riding lesson from the defendant and sustained serious shoulder and arm injuries. The defense successfully argued that the Equine Activities Act provided immunity to the defendant and that the plaintiff assumed the risk of injury to herself.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Defense Verdict in Dental Malpractice Case
April 29, 2009
Doug Smith obtained a defense verdict in a dental malpractice case on April 29, 2009. Doug represented a dental group in Kennesaw, GA. which had been sued by a patient via respondeat superior. The patient alleged one of the Group's dentists had improperly diagnosed and treated her diseased mouth. As a result of poor treatment, she underwent months and months of pain, eventually losing her seven front teeth. The jury found in favor of the Group. It did affirm that the treatment plan was not the best option, however, the plaintiff had been fully informed of the risks and minimal potential for success.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
2008 Defense Verdict
March 31, 2008
In late March, Doug Smith received a defense verdict from a Houston County jury while representing a day care center in Warner Robins, GA. The suit was brought by the mother of a seven year old girl who was attacked by another child in the center; the child suffered severe and permanent facial injuries and alleged emotional trauma. The defense contended successfully that the center had fulfilled its duty of "watchful oversight" of the children and that the assault was unavoidable due to its sudden nature.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Surgeon Prevails
March 04, 2008
Doug Smith won a defense verdict in a wrongful death case filed in the Fulton County State Court. The plaintiff alleged that his wife died as a result of a negligently performed sigmoid colectomy (bowel operation) necessitated by a condition known as diverticulitis. Specifically, plaintiff's experts contended that the surgeon violated the standard of care by not performing an air insufflation test after surgery which would have shown a leak in the colon. The defense presented a strong expert testimony showing that the air test would not have shown any problems anyway. The jury agreed and returned a verdict in favor of the surgeon.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Events
Carlock, Copeland & Stair Announce Lawyers Selected on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® List for 2018
February 22, 2018
Carlock, Copeland & Stair are proud to announce the following attorneys selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2018. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers®. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers®, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers® undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Super Lawyers® Thomas S. Carlock - Civil Litigation: Defense Wade K. Copeland - Civil Litigation: Defense Eric J. Frisch - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Johannes S. Kingma - Professional Liability: Defense D. Gary Lovell, Jr. - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Rolfe Martin - Personal Injury General: Defense David F. Root - General Litigation Douglas W. Smith - Personal Injury General: Defense Kent T. Stair - Professional Liability: Defense Frederick M. Valz, III - Insurance Coverage Rising Stars® is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars® list. Rising Stars® Lauren Meadows - Civil Litigation Defense Jay M. O'Brien - Personal Injury General: Defense
Carlock, Copeland & Stair Hosted Their Annual Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Seminar
August 24, 2017
Carlock, Copeland & Stair hosted their annual Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Seminar on August 24 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Presentations and Presenters: Have Traditional Rules Gone Up in Smoke? Impact of Growing Legalization of Medical Marijuana - Dave Root and Abby Grozine. Best Practices for Maintaining Your Claims File - Ryan Wilhelm, Jennifer Guerra, and Claire Sumner. Defending the Institutional Bad Faith Claim - Charlie McDaniel and Kathy Carlsten. New Technology, Old Policies: Are Aging Policies Equipped to Handle the Consumer Technology Boom? - Fred Valz and Melissa Bailey. Apportionment: Has It Gotten Insurers Where They Want To Go? - Charlie McDaniel, Graham Thompson, and Kristen Thompson. Additional Insured Jeopardy - Alex Davis, Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore, Sally Bright and Nick Stewart. Why the Involvement of a Tractor Trailer Escalates a Case - Gary Lovell. Risk-Averse Insurers and the New Juror: Exploring Possible Links Between Fewer Trials, Millennial Jurors, and Seemingly Bigger Verdicts - Doug Smith and Lee Weatherly. Please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@cskl.law if you would like our attorneys to present in-house lunch & learn sessions or webinars.
Carlock Copeland Attorneys Selected for Georgia 2016 Super Lawyers® AND Rising Stars®
August 24, 2017
February 19, 2016 Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce our lawyers selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2016. Thomas S. Carlock and Johannes S. Kingma have been selected for inclusion on the Top 100 Super Lawyers® in the State of Georgia. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers®. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers®, which is a service of Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers® undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Top 100 for the State of Georgia - Super Lawyers® Thomas S. Carlock - Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia Johannes S. Kingma - Top Rated Professional Liability Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia Super Lawyers® Thomas S. Carlock - Civil Litigation: Defense Wade K. Copeland - Civil Litigation: Defense Eric J. Frisch - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Johannes S. Kingma - Professional Liability: Defense D. Gary Lovell, Jr. - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense David F. Root - General Litigation Douglas W. Smith - Personal Injury General: Defense Kent T. Stair - Professional Liability: Defense Frederick M. Valz, III - Insurance Coverage Rising Stars® is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars® list. Rising Stars® Shannon M. Sprinkle - Professional Liability: Defense Peter Werdesheim - Professional Liability - Defense
News
Carlock Copeland Attorneys Named to 2019 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
February 28, 2019
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2019. Super Lawyers recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their legal practice. Attorneys are chosen for this honor through a nomination process, peer review by practice area and independent research on candidates. The lengthy process identifies lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Meet our Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®! Super Lawyers®, only five percent of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers list. Our Super Lawyers are: Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Eric J. Frisch Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Rolfe M. Martin Jay M. O'Brien David F. Root Douglas W. Smith Kent T. Stair Fred M. Valz Rising Stars® list recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state – those who are 40 years old or younger, or those who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are named to the Rising Stars® list, here is ours in Atlanta: Melissa L. Bailey Please click here to Read about our South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®!
Carlock Copeland Attorneys Selected for Georgia 2018 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
February 27, 2018
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2018. Super Lawyers recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their legal practice. Attorneys are chosen for this honor through a nomination process, peer review by practice area and independent research on candidates. The lengthy process identifies lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Meet our Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®! Super Lawyers®, only five percent of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers list: Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Eric J. Frisch Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Rolfe M. Martin David F. Root Douglas W. Smith Kent T. Stair Fred M. Valz, III Rising Stars® list recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state – those who are 40 years old or younger, or those who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of eligible attorneys are named to the Rising Stars list, here are ours: Lauren E. H. Meadows Jay M. O'Brien
Carlock Copeland Attorneys Selected for Georgia 2017 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
February 21, 2017
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2017. Super Lawyers® Thomas S. Carlock - Civil Litigation: Defense Wade K. Copeland - Civil Litigation: Defense Eric J. Frisch - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Johannes S. Kingma - Professional Liability: Defense D. Gary Lovell, Jr. - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense David F. Root - General Litigation Douglas W. Smith - Personal Injury General: Defense Kent T. Stair - Professional Liability: Defense Fred M. Valz, III - Insurance Coverage Rising Stars® Shannon M. Sprinkle - Professional Liability: Defense
13 Carlock Copeland Attorneys Selected for Georgia 2016 Super Lawyers® AND Rising Stars®
February 19, 2016
February 19, 2016 Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that 13 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2016. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers®. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers®, which is a service of Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers® undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of Prcandidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Super Lawyers® Thomas S. Carlock - Civil Litigation: Defense Wade K. Copeland - Civil Litigation: Defense Eric J. Frisch - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Johannes S. Kingma - Professional Liability: Defense D. Gary Lovell, Jr. - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense W. Dan McGrew, III - Professional Liability: Defense David F. Root - General Litigation Douglas W. Smith - Personal Injury General: Defense Kent T. Stair - Professional Liability: Defense Frederick M. Valz, III - Insurance Coverage Rising Stars® is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars® list. Rising Stars® Brent A. Meyer - Construction Litigation Shannon M. Sprinkle - Professional Liability: Defense Peter Werdesheim - Professional Liability - Defense
15 CARLOCK COPELAND ATTORNEYS SELECTED FOR GEORGIA 2015 SUPER LAWYERS® AND RISING STARS®
February 27, 2015
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that 17 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2015. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Super Lawyers
- Thomas S. Carlock
- Wade K. Copeland
- Eric J. Frisch
- Johannes S. Kingma
- D. Gary Lovell, Jr.
- W. Dan McGrew
- David F. Root
- Douglas W. Smith
- Kent T. Stair
- Fred M. Valz, III
- John L. Bunyan
- Brent A. Meyer
- Heather H. Miller
- Shannon M. Sprinkle
- Peter Werdesheim
16 Carlock Copeland Attorneys Selected for Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
March 04, 2014
Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP is proud to announce that 17 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2014. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Super Lawyers
Rising Stars is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars list. Rising Stars2013 Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
February 21, 2013
We are proud to announce that 14 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2013. Super Lawyers Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Kent T. Stair Douglas W. Smith David F. Root W. Dan McGrew Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Eric J. Frisch Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Rising Stars Shannon M. Sprinkle Peter Werdesheim Heather H. Miller Ryan B. Wilhelm John L. Bunyan Rising Stars is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars list.
2012 Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
February 17, 2012
We are proud to announce that 14 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2012. Super Lawyers Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Kent T. Stair Douglas W. Smith David F. Root W. Dan McGrew Fred M. Valz, III Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Eric J. Frisch Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyersundertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Rising Stars Shannon M. Sprinkle Peter Werdesheim Heather H. Miller John L. Bunyan Rising Stars is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years of age or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars list.
2011 Super Lawyers
February 21, 2011
We are proud to announce that 15 of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2011. Super Lawyers Honorees Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Kent T. Stair Douglas W. Smith David F. Root W. Dan McGrew Fred M. Valz, III Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Eric J. Frisch Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Rising Stars Honorees Shannon M. Sprinkle Peter Werdesheim Heather H. Miller Spencer A. Bomar Ryan B. Wilhelm Rising Stars is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars list.
Doug Smith Spoke at 2010 CNA Risk Management Seminar
November 03, 2010
Doug Smith was the guest speaker at the 2010 CNA Risk Management Seminar in Atlanta, GA on October 22, 2010.
2010 Super Lawyers
February 25, 2010
We are proud to announce that 15 of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion on the Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists for 2010. Super Lawyers Honorees Thomas S. Carlock Wade K. Copeland Kent T. Stair Douglas W. Smith David F. Root W. Dan McGrew Fred M. Valz, III Johannes S. Kingma D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Eric J. Frisch Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers. The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Rising Stars Honorees Shannon M. Sprinkle John C. Rogers Pete Werdesheim Ryan B. Wilhelm Rising Stars is a listing of exceptional lawyers who are 40 years or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in the state are honored on the Rising Stars list.
Publications and Presentations
Battling Litigation Funding, Ballooning Medical Costs, and Other New Plaintiff’s Litigation Tactics – Presentation at Carlcock Copeland’s Annual Insurance Coverage Seminar
August 23, 2018
Battling Litigation Funding, Ballooning Medical Costs, and Other New Plaintiff’s Litigation Tactics: The Plaintiff’s bar continues to develop strategies designed to maximize recovery for even minor causes of action. In this session of Carlock Copeland's Annual Insurance Coverage Seminar, these various strategies are discussed and effective counter strategies are revealed. This session will also address recent developments regarding insurers responsibilities related to medical liens and subrogation. Presenters/Co-Authors: Douglas Smith, Jason Deere and Ryan Kolb. For more information on this presentation, please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@cskl.law.
Doug Smith and Lee Weatherly presented Risk-Averse Insurers and the New Juror: Exploring Possible Links Between Fewer Trials, Millennial Jurors, and Seemingly Bigger Verdicts at Carlock, Copeland & Stair’s annual Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Seminar
August 24, 2017
Doug Smith and Lee Weatherly presented Risk-Averse Insurers and the New Juror: Exploring Possible Links Between Fewer Trials, Millennial Jurors, and Seemingly Bigger Verdicts at Carlock, Copeland & Stair's annual Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Seminar on August 24 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@cskl.law if you would like our attorneys to present in-house lunch & learn sessions or webinars.
At the Crossroads: HIPAA, the Privacy Rule, and Informal Discovery in Georgia
May 21, 2012
"At the Crossroads: HIPAA, the Privacy Rule, and Informal Discovery in Georgia." Eric J. Frisch and Douglas W. Smith. Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Law Journal. May 21, 2012.
Doug Smith was the guest speaker at the 2010 CNA Risk Management Seminar in Atlanta, GA on October 22, 2010
October 22, 2010
Doug Smith was the guest speaker at the 2010 CNA Risk Management Seminar in Atlanta, GA on October 22, 2010.
Trial Techniques – A Personal Cheat Sheet
June 18, 2008
Trial Techniques - A Personal Cheat Sheet. Douglas W. Smith. DRI Online Newsletter. June 18, 2008.