Kent T. Stair
Partner / Atlanta Charleston
For over 30 years, the focus of Kent’s practice has been on the representation of design professionals in the drafting and negotiation of their contracts, the resolution of design and construction phase issues, and the litigation, arbitration and mediation of the various disputes that arise in connection with the design and construction process. His practice also involves the representation of other parties to the construction process, including large general contractors in complex cases alleging construction defects. The non-construction part of his practice involves the representation of attorneys, when they are sued in connection with their professional activities. When not litigating on someone’s behalf, Kent has served as a mediator for others in over 150 cases.
Since 2004, Kent has been an honoree on the Georgia Super Lawyers® list published in Atlanta Magazine/Law and Politics Magazine. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, he was honored on the Georgia Super Lawyers® list as one of the top 100 attorneys in the state. Kent has been named to the list of South Carolina Super Lawyers® since 2008. Since 2006, Kent has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, and in 2015 he was named Construction Law – Lawyer of the Year, Charleston. Kent is also AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Events
CSVL Charleston Office Participated in Habitat for Humanity Build – October 26, 2019
October 26, 2019
The Charleston office of Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell participated once again in the area's Habitat for Humanity build on October 26, 2019 in James Island. Led by partner Tyler Winton, CSKL has developed a long-standing relationship with the Charleston area Habitat for Humanity, giving back to the local community in area builds at least twice a year.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity in your area, please click here.
CSVL’s Annual Risk Management Seminar for Design Professionals in Atlanta, GA – October 17, 2019
October 17, 2019
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell's Annual Atlanta Annual Risk Management Seminar for Architects and Engineers is today, beginning at 11:00 AM at the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden. Kent Stair, alongside other Industry Professionals, presented the program Revit'd Up and Ready to Roll: Reining in Risk of the Digitally Rendered Project. Broken up into three sessions, this program addressed the best practices for managing the risks generated by the use and distribution of digital data and BIM during the design and construction phases. It also highlighted the contractual tools available to design professionals to refine the scope of digital service, allocate or shift liability, and responsibly share data. Furthermore, this presentation informed insurance professionals in the best practices advising on and assessing liability for related projects. For more information on this seminar or similar programs that we can bring to you, please contact Michelle Mattox.
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 Seminar – Risk Management for Design Professionals – Atlanta
November 16, 2017
Kent Stair and Bill Jones of the Design Professional Group presented at Carlock, Copeland & Stair's Annual Risk Management for Design Professionals Seminar held at the Cobb Energy Centre on November 16. Four AIA and CE credits provided. Certificates of attendance provided to engineers. Please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@csvl.law for more information on continuing education offerings for design professionals.
South Carolina Risk Management for Design Professionals Seminar
June 15, 2017
Kent Stair, Paul Sperry and the Design Professional Group led a discussion regarding claims against design professionals which included advice on the best practices to avoid claims, how to handle claims when they cannot be avoided, and the various ways to resolve claims. This event was held at the Francis Marion Hotel on June 15, 2017. Please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@csvl.law for more information.
Carlock Copeland Seminar – Risk Management for Design Professionals – Atlanta – November 17, 2016
November 17, 2016
Kent Stair, Bill Jones and the Design Professional Group presented How to Avoid, Manage and Resolve Claims Against Design Professionals and led a discussion regarding claims against design professionals which included advice on the best practices to avoid claims, how to handle claims when they cannot be avoided, and the various ways to resolve claims. This event was held at the Cobb Energy Centre on November 17. Please contact Patty O'Toole at potoole@csvl.law for more information.
Carlock, Copeland & Stair Attorneys Selected for 2016 South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
April 22, 2016
We are proud to announce that 9 of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2016. Super Lawyers® Kent T. Stair - Construction Litigation 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® Andrew W. Countryman - Professional Liability Defense Jackson H. Daniel, III - Civil Litigation Defense Douglas W. MacKelcan - Civil Litigation Defense Patrick J. Norris - Construction Litigation Laura Paris Paton - Construction Litigation Lee C. Weatherly - Medical Malpractice Defense Tyler P. Winton - Construction Litigation 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.
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 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
Kent Stair participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out in Atlanta on Thursday, November 19
November 19, 2015
Kent Stair participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out in Atlanta on Thursday, November 19. Covenant House helps homeless children, teenagers, and young adults with basic needs of food and shelter and serves kids every year, in dozens of cities across six countries. Sleep Out participants sleep outside with the children and raise money via sponsor donations in support of the mission of Covenant House. Kent stayed outside in a yard adjacent to some industrial train tracks and a busy industrial road. 85 people slept out this year and raised over $300,000. The money raised will make it possible to open another cottage to house eight more kids and bring on an additional part time licensed therapist to help kids heal from the trauma they experienced on the streets. Covenant House recognizes participating groups that raise more than $10,000 by placing a plaque over a bed in their shelter. Kent is proud to say his group raised over $13,000 and there will be a bed in the shelter as a result of the efforts of “Friends of Kent and Jan Stair.”
Carlock Copeland Seminar – Risk Management for Design Professionals – November 3, 2015
November 3, 2015
Kent Stair, and Bill Jones, presented at the Carlock Copeland Risk Management for Design Professionals (A&E) Seminar. The event was held November 3 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA. Please contact Michelle Mattox at mmattox@csvl.law for more information.
Joint Conference of the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers & Maryland Society of Surveyors – October 7 – 9
October 7, 2015
The Joint Conference of the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers and Maryland Society of Surveyors was held October 7 - 9 in Baltimore, MD. Click on the link below for more information: Joint Conference of the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers & Maryland Society of Surveyors Information
News
CSVL Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Lists in Multiple Practice Areas and in Each Office Location
August 19, 2021
Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP is pleased to announce our Attorneys named to 2022 Best Lawyers® lists in multiple categories and office locations.
- Anna Beaton, 2022 Best Lawyers®; Ones To Watch recognition for Insurance Law and Transportation Law in Atlanta, GA
- Sarah E. Butler, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Insurance in Charleston, SC
- Eric Frisch, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Litigation - Health Care and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants in Atlanta, GA
- Angela C. Kopet, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance in Chattanooga, TN
- Gary Lovell, Jr., 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC
- Rolfe M. Martin, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants in Atlanta, GA
- Paul Sperry, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Construction Law and Litigation - Construction in Charleston, SC
- Kent T. Stair, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Construction Law and Legal Malpractice Law – Defense and Litigation - Construction in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC
- Fred M. Valz, III, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Insurance Law in Atlanta, GA
- Lee C. Weatherly, 2022 Best Lawyers® recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Charleston, SC
CSVL Attorneys Selected to 2021 South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists
May 1, 2021
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2021. 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®! Only five percent of attorneys in the state of South Carolina are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® list. Our Super Lawyers® are: D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Kent T. Stair 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 in South Carolina: Alexandra Lemons Tyler P. Winton
CSVL Attorneys Selected to 2021 Georgia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists
February 15, 2021
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, 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 2021. 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®! Only five percent of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® list. Our Super Lawyers® are: Wade K. Copeland Eric J. Frisch D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Rolfe M. Martin Charles M. McDaniel, Jr. 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 in Atlanta: Melissa L. Bailey
Kent Stair Named 2021 Best Lawyer’s® Litigation-Construction Lawyer of the Year in Charleston, SC.
August 20, 2020
Congratulations to CSKL's Kent Stair for being named 2021 Best Lawyer’s®, Litigation-Construction, Lawyer of the Year in Charleston, SC. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession. Recognition in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers. Please click here to read the full press release.
CSKL Attorneys Named to 2020 South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists
April 27, 2020
Copeland, Stair, Kingma & Lovell, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the South Carolina Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® lists for 2020. 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®! Only five percent of attorneys in the state of South Carolina are selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers® list. Our Super Lawyers® are: D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Kent T. Stair 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 in Charleston: Alexandra Lemons Tyler P. Winton
CSVL Attorneys Named to 2020 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
February 15, 2020
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, 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 2020. 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®! Only five percent of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® list. Our Super Lawyers® are: Wade K. Copeland Eric J. Frisch D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Rolfe M. Martin Charles M. McDaniel, Jr. William D. Newcomb 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 in Atlanta: Melissa L. Bailey Stephen J. Cohen
CSVL Attorneys Named to 2019 South Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
April 8, 2019
Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP is proud to announce that several of our lawyers have been selected for inclusion on the South Carolina 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 South Carolina are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers list. Our Super Lawyers are: D. Gary Lovell, Jr. Kent T. Stair 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: J. Patrick Norris Tyler P. Winton
CSVL Attorneys Named to 2019 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
February 28, 2019
Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, 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: Wade K. Copeland Eric J. Frisch 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®!
Publications and Presentations
Kent Stair Presented the Webinar: Managing the Risks of Private Plan Review & Inspections for the ACEC Georgia – April 9, 2020
April 9, 2020
Kent Stair was joined by the Vice President of Insurance Offices of America to present the webinar, Managing the Risks of Private Plan Review & Inspections on April 9, 2020 at 2:00 PM. In collaboration with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia, this timely presentation covered the risks to design professionals regarding the State of Georgia's recent executive order on third-party plan review and inspections in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This program examined the details and issues of the order, as well as legal concerns and insurance requirements design firms may encounter. For more information on this presentation or ACEC Georgia, please click here.