Jena G. Emory
Associate / Atlanta
Jena is an Associate in the general liability practice group of Copeland, Stair, Valz, & Lovell’s Atlanta office. She represents clients in automobile and motor carrier accidents, insurance coverage issues, and premises liability matters. Prior to joining Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, Jena practiced at an Atlanta-area civil litigation firm. While there, she defended clients in insurance coverage and general liability cases. She has tried cases solo in Superior Court and Magistrate Court.
Jena is an active member of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, serving on the Board of Directors and as a representative of the Northern District of Georgia on the YLD Representative Council. She is a graduate of the 2020 YLD Leadership Academy and has written numerous articles for The YLD Review. She received the 2020-2021 YLD Achievement Award for Service to the Public and the 2019-2020 YLD Achievement Award for Service to the Profession. Jena is also active in the Atlanta Bar Association as the Chair of the CLE Board of Trustees, an Editorial Board Member of The Atlanta Lawyer, and a Member-at-Large of the Board of the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers. In addition, she is an Associate Editor on the TYL Editorial Board with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Jena is also on leadership at Brookhaven Presbyterian Church.
Jena earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law where she was the Submissions Editor of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law as well as an author of numerous publications. After graduating from law school, she was a fellow for Judge William (“Billy”) Ray, II at the Georgia Court of Appeals. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a double major in Economics and Global Supply Chain and Operations Management with a minor in Music. While in college, Jena studied abroad at United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Results
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Obtain Summary Judgment for Landlord Client in Premises Liability Case
April 7, 2022
Fred M. Valz, III and Jena G. Emory recently won a motion for summary judgment for an out-of-possession landlord in a slip and fall case. In that case, the claimant fell while she was walking down the back steps of a hair salon, and no one witnessed the fall. The claimant then died, for unrelated reasons, before she was deposed. The claimant’s brother testified that the claimant had walked down the back steps of the hair salon without incident multiple times prior to her fall. Valz and Emory filed a motion for summary judgment under the prior traversal rule arguing that the claimant had equal knowledge of any hazard the steps posed because she successfully traversed the area multiple times before her fall. The plaintiff responded that any defect in the steps was not discernable to the claimant. The trial court agreed with Valz and Emory and granted their motion for summary judgment.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Defeat Motion to Dismiss Their Declaratory Judgment Action in District Court
February 28, 2022
Fred M. Valz, III and Jena G. Emory recently defeated a motion to dismiss a declaratory judgment action. Valz and Emory filed a declaratory judgment action to determine the rights and obligations of an insurance company under an insurance policy when the claimant was an employee of the insured. Counsel for the claimant moved to dismiss the case arguing that there was not a justiciable controversy because a lawsuit had not been filed against the insured and arguing that the insurance company did not make sufficient factual allegations. Valz and Emory responded that there was a justiciable controversy, even if a lawsuit had not been filed, and that the insurance company made sufficient factual allegations. The court agreed with Valz and Emory and denied the motion to dismiss.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Win Motion for Judgment on Pleadings for UM Carrier Client
February 25, 2022
Fred M. Valz, III and Jena G. Emory recently won a motion for judgment on the pleadings in an improper bad faith case against a UM carrier. In that case, Plaintiffs’ counsel attempted to bring claims for breach of contract, bad faith under multiple statutes, attorney’s fees under various statutes, punitive damages, and abusive litigation against a UM carrier in the original tort suit. When the UM carrier elected to defend in the name of the defendant, Plaintiffs’ counsel moved for entry of default judgment against the UM carrier on all direct claims against it. Valz and Emory filed a response to Plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment and filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings on all direct claims against the UM carrier claiming that bad faith was Plaintiffs’ exclusive remedy, and any bad faith claim is untimely in the original tort suit. After hearing arguments on both motions, the court granted the UM carrier’s motion for judgment on the pleadings on all direct claims against the UM carrier and denied Plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Prevail in Improper Bad Faith Claim Against UM Carrier Client
August 16, 2021
Fred M. Valz, III and Jena G. Emory secured the dismissal of a lawsuit that included improper bad faith claims against a UM carrier. Plaintiff’s counsel originally filed her complaint against a John Doe in state court and brought improper breach of contract and punitive damages claims against the UM carrier for failure to settle. Valz and Emory requested that Plaintiff withdraw the direct claims against the UM carrier and dismiss the UM carrier as a party in the lawsuit. Plaintiff withdrew the direct claims against the UM carrier but did not properly dismiss the UM carrier as a defendant. Valz and Emory removed the case to federal court. In federal court, Valz and Emory moved to dismiss the UM carrier as a named defendant, which the court granted. The court then dismissed the entire lawsuit because it was pending against a John Doe only, which is not allowed in federal court.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Protect Their UM Carrier Client from Breach of Contract Claim
July 1, 2021
Fred M. Valz, III and Jena G. Emory recently won a motion for judgment on the pleadings in a breach of contract claim against a UM carrier. A new trend has begun among Georgia plaintiffs where, instead of waiting to bring a bad faith claim against a UM carrier, they attempt to bring a breach of contract claim against the UM carrier in the original tort suit. In this case, Plaintiff did just that, and Valz and Emory filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings arguing that bad faith is Plaintiff’s exclusive remedy for the alleged failure to pay a UM claim and any breach of contract claim is not allowed by Georgia law. The court granted the motion.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Prevail in Potential Bad Faith Claim for their Insurance Company Client
March 5, 2021
Fred Valz, III and Jena Emory defeated a plaintiff’s motion to add an insurance company to a lawsuit for a bad faith claim. In this case, the plaintiff’s counsel sent a property damage demand to the insurance company in order to set up a bad faith property damage claim against the insurer. The plaintiff then moved to add the insurance company to an existing lawsuit to bring a bad faith claim against it. Valz and Emory opposed the motion. The court denied the motion to add the insurance company, effectively extinguishing the bad faith claim.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Fred Valz and Jena Emory Win Summary Judgment through Declaratory Judgment Based on Sexual Assault Suit
January 21, 2021
Fred Valz, III and Jena Emory won summary judgment as petitioners in a declaratory judgment action. The declaratory judgment action was filed to determine the rights and obligations of an insurer for a sexual assault and attempted rape. The order granting the motion found that that the alleged sexual assault did not meet the definition of an “occurrence” under the policy. It further found that the intentional or criminal acts exclusion applied because the injuries to the victim would have been reasonably expected by the perpetrator. An appeal was not filed.
For informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in future cases.
Events
Jena Emory Joins the YLD Leadership Academy to Volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank – January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020
On January 11, 2020, Jena Emory volunteered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank with the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy. The YLD Leadership Academy participated in sorting food donations, including identifying expired and damaged food products as well as sorting the items for distribution. In only three hours, the group sorted over 22,904 pounds of food, equating to 17,950 meals total. The Atlanta Community Food Bank utilizes over 1,700 volunteers to work alongside staff members to procure and distribute food and grocery items received from hundreds of donors in the Atlanta area.
Jena was recently accepted into the State Bar of Georgia's 2020 YLD Leadership Academy. The program helps young lawyers develop leadership skills and gives them the opportunity to learn more about the profession, their community and state in which they practice.
To learn more about the Atlanta Community Food Bank, please click here.
News
Jena Emory Nominated to Run for YLD Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia
March 18, 2022
Congratulations to CSVL Atlanta Associate Jena Emory for her nomination to run for the State Bar of Georgia's YLD Secretary! Jena is a strong candidate for this position, that in time transitions into the role of YLD President. Jena consistently serves the State Bar of Georgia YLD Division in many capacities. She is on the Board of Directors, she organizes YLD Wills Clinic, participates in YLD Leadership Academy, represents the Northern District of Georgia on the Representative Council, serves as Co-Chair of the Women in the Profession Committee, volunteers for Moot Court and High School Mock Trial, and supports many Committee events. Voting is open through April 22, 2022, and all State Bar of Georgia YLD members are eligible to participate via the paper ballots mailed out on March 18th -or- online. Click here to read Jena's candidate statement. Click here to vote in all State Bar of Georgia contested races, including Jena's!
CSVL’s Jena Emory Mentioned in Law.com’s Daily Report
March 8, 2021
CSVL attorney Jena Emory mentioned in Law.com's Daily Report as co-chair of the State Bar of Georgia's Women in the Profession Committee, Jena had the opportunity to sit down with Judge Verda M. Colvin of the Georgia Court of Appeals for a candid conversation. Click here to read the Daily Report's coverage of the conversation.
Jena Emory Joins the YLD Leadership Academy to Volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank on January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020
On January 11, 2020, Jena Emory volunteered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank with the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy. The YLD Leadership Academy participated in sorting food donations, including identifying expired and damaged food products as well as sorting the items for distribution. In only three hours, the group sorted over 22,904 pounds of food, equating to 17,950 meals total. The Atlanta Community Food Bank utilizes over 1,700 volunteers to work alongside staff members to procure and distribute food and grocery items received from hundreds of donors in the Atlanta area.
Jena was recently accepted into the State Bar of Georgia's 2020 YLD Leadership Academy. The program helps young lawyers develop leadership skills and gives them the opportunity to learn more about the profession, their community and state in which they practice.
To learn more about the Atlanta Community Food Bank, please click here.
Jena Emory Accepted into the State Bar of Georgia’s 2020 YLD Leadership Academy
December 31, 2019
Atlanta Associate, Jena Emory was recently been accepted into the State Bar of Georgia's 2020 Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy. The Academy was founded in 2006 as a program for young lawyers to help develop leadership skills and give them an opportunity to learn more about the profession, their community and their state in which they practice in. There are more than 500 alumni members of The Leadership Academy including solo practitioners, judicial law clerks, partners in small and large firms, assistant district attorneys, public defenders and more. Acceptance into The YLD Leadership Academy gives participants the ability to network with judges, clients and fellow lawyers, quality programming and recognition in the field of law. To learn more about The YLD or The Leadership Academy, please click here.
Publications and Presentations
Jena Emory Mentioned in The Daily Report Article – State Bar of Georgia Announces New Leadership Award Winners
July 5, 2022
Atlanta associate Jena Emory was recently mentioned in the article State Bar of Georgia Announces New Leadership Award Winners in The Daily Report on July 5th. The article was authored by the ALM's reporter Everett Catts. Click here to read the article in its entirety.
Why Should You Become a JAG Officer? – ABA Article by Jena Emory
June 13, 2022
CSVL's Jena Emory recently authored an article for the American Bar Association (ABA). Jena is a member of the ABA's Young Lawyer's division.
The article, Why Should You Become a JAG Officer, was published on the ABA website as part of the YLD series.
Click here to read the article in its entirety.
Jena Emory Authors Article for The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine
5/24/2022
CSVL Atlanta associate Jena Emory was recently published in The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine's May 2022 Edition (Vol. 20, No. 6). Jena's article, Privacy & Cybersecurity Member Appreciation Month CLE, is on Page 26-27.
Please click here to access the May Edition of The Atlanta Lawyer and read Jena's article.
CSVL’s Jena Emory Published in The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine March/April 2022 Edition
April 25, 2022
CSVL Associate Jena Emory was recently published in The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine's March/April 2022 Edition. Jena wrote an article for the Legends of the Bar series, entitled A Conversation with Edward T.M. Garland and Donald F. Samuel (pg 35). Please click here to access the March/April Edition of The Atlanta Lawyer and read Jena's article.
How to Have a Career You Love – Recent Article for the Young Lawyers Division of the ABA by Jena Emory
March 3, 2022
CSVL's Jena Emory was recently published in the ABA's After the Bar, a digital publication produced by the Young Lawer's Division (YLD) of the American Bar Association. Jena's article entitled How to Have a Career You Love, was published on March 2, 2022 in the ABA's After the Bar: Professional Life column. Jena is an associate attorney in the Atlanta offices of CSVL. Click here to read Jena's Article in its entirety. Click here to learn about the ABA's Young Lawyers Division.
Jena Emory Authors Multiple Articles for The Atlanta Lawyer, January/February 2022 Issue
February 1, 2022
CSVL Attorney Jena Emory authored two separate articles for The Atlanta Bar Publication, The Atlanta Lawyer. How to Plan Your First CLE is on pages 26-27 of the January/February 2022 Issue. In this same issue, Jena wrote Legends of the Bar (pages 30-31), an article covering the first installment of The Atlanta Bar's CLE series that goes by the same name. Click here to read her articles, and here to learn more about the Atlanta Bar Association.
Jena Emory Contributes to The Atlanta Bar Association’s Magazine, The Atlanta Lawyer.
December 15, 2021
Attorney Jena Emory co-authored an article with City of Atlanta Staff Attorney Kier Prince for The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine. The article entitled 2021: But You Said You're a Lawyer!? is in the November/December 2021 issue (pg. 20-22), and recaps the Atlanta Bar Association's annual But You Said You're a Lawyer!? CLE program. In this same issue, Jena covered other events for the magazine including ACYL Associates' Campaign Kick-Off (pg. 23) and 2021 Braves World Series Parade (pg. 33). Click here to read her articles, and here to learn more about the Atlanta Bar Association.
How to Become Involved in an Organization – Recent Article by CSVL’s Jena Emory
September 24, 2021
CSVL's Jena Emory authored an article in the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division's publication The YLD Review. Jena's article, How to Become Involved in an Organization, is on page 8 of Volume 62, Issue 4, published in September 2021. Click here to read the article in its entirety. For more information on the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division, please click here.
CSVL’s Jena Emory Published in Atlanta Lawyer Magazine – July/August 2021 Edition
August 19, 2021
CSVL Associate Jena Emory coauthored an article, CLE By The Hour 2021, in The Atlanta Lawyer Magazine's July/August 2021 Edition. The article highlighted the Atlanta Bars' CLE By the Hour virtual program from May 2021, which brought timely information to members on navigating various scenarios and situations in a pandemic environment. To read the article, please click here. To read the magazine in its entirety, please click here.
How to Maintain Your Passion for the Law – Recent Article by CSVL’s Jena Emory for State Bar of Georgia – The YLD Review
June 10, 2021
CSVL's Jena Emory authored an article in the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division's publication The YLD Review. Jena's article for the Adulting 101 column, How to Maintain Your Passion for the Law, is on page 8 of Volume 62, Issue 3, published in May 2021. Click here to read the article in its entirety. For more information on the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division, please click here.
CSVL Associates Jena Emory and Caroline Sims featured in The State Bar of Georgia’s YLD Review
March 15, 2021
CSVL associates Jena Emory and Caroline Sims were recently featured in The YLD Review for their efforts in the YLD Winter Wills Clinic. The YLD Review is a quarterly publication highlighting member initiatives and and education, published by the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division. The article titled YLD Winter Virtual Wills Clinic With Atlanta Legal Aid, is in Volume 62, Issue 2, March 2021 (Page 13). Jena Emory, no stranger to the Young Lawyers Division, is co-chair of the YLD Women in the Profession Committee. Caroline Sims, a YLD member, was quoted in the article. To read the article in entirety, click here. For information on The YLD Review newsletters, please click here.
Budgeting Like a Pro – Article by Jena Emory Published in State Bar of Georgia’s The YLD Review
July 6, 2020
Jena Emory recently authored Budgeting Like a Pro for the State Bar of Georgia, Young Lawyers Division's The YLD Review. Her article was published in the June 2020 Edition (Volume 61, Issue 4). To read the article, please click here.
Not All Lawyers Are Professionals – An Article Authored by Jena Emory for The YLD Review
December 27, 2019
Jena Emory recently submitted an article to The YLD Review, a State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division publication. Her piece, Not All Lawyers Are Professionals, was published in the December 2019 edition, Volume 61, Issue 2. Jena is an Associate in the general liability practice group of the firm's Atlanta office. She is an active member of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia serving as the Co-Chair of the Women in the Profession Committee and as a Member at Large of the Representative Counsel. Jena was also recently selected for the 2020 YLD Leadership Academy. Please click here to read the full article. To learn more about the Young Lawyers Division, please click here.