Sarah Wetmore Butler
Partner / Charleston
Sarah has been practicing law in Charleston, South Carolina for twenty years. She is a 1999 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law. Sarah focuses her practice in the areas of construction litigation, professional liability, premises liability, personal injury defense, and general insurance defense and coverage.
A frequent speaker at seminars and events, Sarah most recently presented at the firm’s 2021 ICBF Seminar in Atlanta and at the SCDTAA Diversity and Inclusion Seminar in February of 2020 in Columbia, SC. She has presented on topics such as: Jury Bias, Preparing an Effective Trial Notebook, Use of Biomechanical Experts, Civility in the Practice of Law, Jury Charges, Verdict Forms & Special Interrogatories, Bad Faith, AIA Contracts, Demonstrative Evidence, Tripartite Relationship, First Party Coverage, Reservation of Rights Letters, Construction Coverage Issues and Settlement Agreements.
Sarah is a member of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, the Defense Research Institute, the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association and a fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America. She is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was included on Best Lawyers ® 2022 list for Litigation – Construction and Litigation – Insurance in the Charleston, SC Area.
Sarah was awarded the South Carolina Leadership in Law Award in 2016. This event recognizes legal professionals from across the Palmetto State, who have achieved success in their law practice, made contributions to society and have had an impact on the legal industry.
Over the years, Sarah has enjoyed expanding her general liability and insurance defense background to include construction litigation. She enjoys defending general contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers, and has also had experience assisting insurance carriers with a variety of construction claims issues.
When she is not practicing law, Sarah can be found on Folly Beach with her husband, Drew, and their four children. She enjoys live music, travel, reading, boating and just about anything her kids are doing. The family dog, Berta, is an alum of Lowcountry Lab Rescue.
Events
CSVL Sponsors the 2022 Southeastern Women Litigators Seminar in Atlanta, GA – March 24, 2022
March 24, 2022
Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP was proud to sponsor the 2022 Southeastern Women Litigators Seminar, Hear me Roar. The SEWL seminar was March 24, 2022 at Zoo Atlanta.
CSVL's Sarah Wetmore Butler, a frequent speaker at seminars and events, joined a panel at this year's conference. Sarah and her panel presented It's a Jungle Out There: Finding Your Way to Partnership at 9:30 AM on March 24, 2022. This is a regional joint seminar with women defense attorneys from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee teaming up to educate their peers. Panelists covered career-building skills and explored the challenges and rewards of being a woman in the field of litigation. We can't wait until the 2023 Conference!
For more information on this seminar, please click here.
Location: Zoo Atlanta - Atlanta, GA / Event Details/Registration
Sarah Butler Presented at the SCDTAA Diversity & Inclusion Seminar in Columbia, SC – February 20, 2020
February 20, 2020
Sarah Butler co-presented at the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association's Diversity and Inclusion Seminar on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in Columbia, SC. This seminar gave attendees the opportunity to speak openly about diversity, equality, acceptance and inclusion in the legal profession. Sarah's presentation, So, Now What? A Candid Look at the Progress of Women in the Practice of Law, focused on the obstacles women lawyers face in their occupation, namely sexism and discrimination. They discussed how the passage of time, political climate and the Me-Too Movement has impacted women in law. Sarah is a member of Copeland Stair's Diversity Committee and President-Elect of the SCDTAA. CSVL Charleston Partner Laura Paton was also in attendance. Laura, Chair of CSVL's Diversity Committee, serves on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association and is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction. For more information about this seminar or the SCDTAA, please click here.
Sarah Wetmore Butler and Caroline Niland Attended the SCDTAA 2019 Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, FL – November 14-17, 2019
November 14, 2019
Charleston's Sarah Wetmore Butler and Caroline Niland attended the 2019 South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association 52nd Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, November 14-17, 2019. Sarah was the first Copeland Stair attorney to be elected to the SCDTAA Board of Directors in 2011. Caroline recently completed the Emerging Leaders Program with the SCDTAA and was one of the first recipients of the award during this year's Annual Meeting. This conference combined informative CLE programming with fun activities and gave attendees the opportunity to network with colleagues and judiciary in a relaxing and professional atmosphere. For more information on the Annual Meeting or the SCDTAA, please click here.
Copeland Stair’s Annual Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Seminar in Atlanta, GA – September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019
Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell's Annual Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Seminar was held on Thursday September 12, 2019. Located at the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Gardens, this two-track format addressed the emerging issues that keep you up at night. Some session topics included: the rise in tort litigation, putting together the pieces of the wrongful death case, effective use of recorded statements and the material misrepresentation defense, liability exposure in the age of active shooters and the impact bias has on case evaluation and jury deliberations. For more information on this seminar, please contact Michelle Mattox.
Sarah Wetmore Butler Presented at the SCDTAA 2019 Summer Meeting in Hilton Head Island, SC – July 26-28, 2019
July 26, 2019
This years SCDTAA Annual Summer Meeting was once again hosted at the Sonesta Resort, located on Hilton Head Island. On Saturday at 11:15am, Sarah Wetmore Butler, presented her Women in Law Seminar Recap. Her program highlighted on success in the workplace, the challenges that are unique to the working woman, "work-life balance" and more. Sarah was elected to the Board of Directors for the SCDTAA in 2017. This family-friendly weekend allowed attendees to enjoy fun activities on the beach, as well as as golf tournament and a fun run. In addition to an action packed weekend, attendees had an informative and entertaining CLE schedule paired alongside marketing opportunities. For more information on this meeting and the SCDTAA, please click here.
Sarah Wetmore and Laura Paton presented on panels at CLM and Business Insurance 2017 Construction Conference.
October 10, 2017
Sarah Wetmore and Laura Paton presented on panels at the 2017 Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) & Business Insurance's Construction Conference on October 9-11, 2017 in San Diego, CA. Laura presented No Reservations: Crafting a Reservation of Rights Letter After Harleysville v. Heritage. Sarah presented Navigating the Settlement Agreement.
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@csvl.law if you would like our attorneys to present in-house lunch & learn sessions or webinars.
CLM Greater Atlanta Chapter Educational & Networking Event – Attended by Laura Paton and Sarah Wetmore
May 3, 2017
Laura Paton and Sarah Wetmore attended Claims and Litigation Management Alliance's Greater Atlanta Chapter Educational & Networking Event on May 3rd. The event was hosted by CLM's Diversity in Construction Claims Committee and co-sponsored by Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP. Please click here for more event information or to register.
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.
Gary Lovell, Lee Weatherly Presented at the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association Annual Meeting – November 10 – 13, 2016
November 10, 2016
Partner Sarah Wetmore was on the planning committee for the 2016 SCDTAA annual meeting held from November 10-12 in Greensboro, Georgia. Several Carlock Copeland & Stair, LLP partners presented and were in attendance. The meeting was attended by defense attorneys and judges from around South Carolina. Lee Weatherly presented Preparing a Client to Testify - Taking Your Game to the Next Level. Gary Lovell presented Medical Malpractice Tort Reform: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going? Gary's presentation centered around the current state of the notice of intent to file suit proceedings, the obstetrical and emergency medicine exception to standard of care, and noneconomic damage caps.
SC Lawyer article by Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore and Clinton Magill on the possible uses of Fitbit data cited by the Wall Street Journal in Law Blog
April 27, 2016
SC Lawyer article by Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore and Clinton Magill on the possible uses of Fitbit data cited by the Wall Street Journal in Law Blog. The Wall Street Journal Law Blog is entitled, Prosecutors Say Fitbit Device Exposed Fibbing in Rape Case. Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore, and Clinton Magill's article entitled, "How Wearable Fitness Devices Could Impact Personal Injury in South Carolina" was published in the January 2016 SC Lawyer publication. SC Lawyer is a publication of the South Carolina Bar. With the emergence of the wearable fitness device market comes an increase in personalized health and fitness data for discovery and investigation on using information from fitness devices in personal injury litigation. Laura Paton is of counsel and Sarah Wetmore is a partner in the Charleston office of Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP. Clinton T. Magill is an associate in the Atlanta office. With express permission to reprint by SC Lawyer Magazine, January 2016 Edition©.
Article by Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore and Clinton Magill on the possible uses of Fitbit data cited by the Wall Street Journal in Law Blog
April 22, 2016
Article by Laura Paton, Sarah Wetmore and Clinton Magill on the possible uses of Fitbit data cited by the Wall Street Journal in Law Blog. The Wall Street Journal Law Blog is entitled, Prosecutors Say Fitbit Device Exposed Fibbing in Rape Case.
2016 CLM Annual Conference – Orlando, FL
April 6, 2016
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.
Sarah Wetmore – South Carolina 2016 Leadership in Law Recipient
March 10, 2016
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly hosted the eighth annual Leadership in Law awards event on March 10, 2016. Sarah Wetmore received the 2016 South Carolina Leadership in Law Award. The event recognizes legal professionals from across the Palmetto State who have achieved success in their law practice, made contributions to society and have had an impact on the legal industry. Sarah Wetmore, Laura Paton, Madison Suttie, Matt Hemingway, Nick Stewart, Jack Daniel and The Honorable Lenna Kirchner, a "CCS Alumn," were all at the CC&S table.
1st Annual Construction Defect Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Nov. 19-20
November 19, 2015
Sarah Wetmore and Paul Sperry attended the 1st Annual National Defect Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Nov. 19-20, 2015.
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’s Sarah Butler Elected President of South Carolina Defense Trial Attorney Association
Sarah Butler was recently elected as President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association (SCDTAA). The South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, arguably the preeminent South Carolina legal defense association, is celebrating it's 52nd year in operation. Sarah has been a dedicated SCDTAA member throughout her legal career. The SCDTAA was formally organized in 1968 after a series of discussions with insurance and industry representatives about the need for an organized state defense bar. The SCDTAA brings together by association, communication and organization, lawyers of South Carolina who devote a substantial amount of their professional time to the handling of litigated cases and whose representation in such cases is primarily for the defense. SCDTAA's mission is to promote justice, professionalism and integrity in the civil justice system by bringing together attorneys dedicated to the defense of civil actions. For more information on SCDTAA, click here
Sarah Butler Recently Participated in a Public Service Project During the 2020 DRI Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL – January 9-10, 2020
January 9, 2020
Sarah Butler recently attended the DRI 2020 Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL. During the conference, teams of leaders got together to build bikes for children. Other highlights of the conference included discussions on Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership Skills, Networking Events, Effective Communication, Team Building, and Creative Thinking. Attendees included the DRI Board of Directors, State Representatives, State Membership Chairs, State Local Defense Organization Leaders to include their Executive Directors, Substantive Law Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and the DRI Membership Committee as well as the Presidents of the sister defense organizations, FDCC, ADTA and IADC. Sarah is the Vice President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association and will be President in 2021.
For more information on this seminar or the DRI, please click here.
Publications and Presentations
Sarah Butler Presents It’s a Jungle Out There: Finding Your Way to Partnership – A Presentation at SEWL 2022 Conference
March 25, 2022
Copeland Stair Valz & Lovell, LLP was proud to sponsor the 2022 Southeastern Women Litigators Seminar, Hear me Roar. The SEWL seminar was March 24, 2022 at Zoo Atlanta.
CSVL's Sarah Wetmore Butler, a frequent speaker at seminars and events, joined a panel at this year's conference. Sarah and her panel presented It's a Jungle Out There: Finding Your Way to Partnership at 9:30 AM on March 24, 2022. This is a regional joint seminar with women defense attorneys from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee teaming up to educate their peers. Panelists covered career-building skills and explored the challenges and rewards of being a woman in the field of litigation. We can't wait until the 2023 Conference!
For more information on this seminar, please click here.
Sarah Butler Authors President’s Message in SCDTAA’s Spring 2021 Newsletter
March 31, 2021
CSVL Senior Partner Sarah Butler authors her first President's Message for the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association Newsletter, The Defense Line - Spring 2021 edition (volume 49, issue 1). The SCDTAA, arguably the preeminent South Carolina legal defense association, is celebrating its 52nd year in operation. Sarah has been a dedicated SCDTAA member throughout her legal career and began her tenure as SCDTAA President fall of 2020.
Click here to read her message in its entirety. Click here to learn more about the SCDTAA.
Sarah Butler and Laura Paton Present SCDTAA’s Construction Law Webinar
October 30, 2020
CSVL Partners Sarah (Wetmore) Butler and Laura Paton presented at South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association's (SCDTAA) Construction Law Webinar on Friday, October 30, 2020. Their segment, The Successful Female Lawyer's Toolkit, focused on best practices for females, as a minority, in the world of Construction Litigation. A frequent SCDTAA speaker, CSKL Partner Sarah Butler is also the current SCDTAA President-Elect. For more information on SCDTAA or their programming, please click here.
Sarah Butler Presented at the SCDTAA Diversity & Inclusion Seminar in Columbia, SC – February 20, 2020
February 20, 2020
Sarah Butler co-presented at the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association's Diversity and Inclusion Seminar on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in Columbia, SC. This seminar gave attendees the opportunity to speak openly about diversity, equality, acceptance and inclusion in the legal profession. Sarah's presentation, So, Now What? A Candid Look at the Progress of Women in the Practice of Law, focused on the obstacles women lawyers face in their occupation, namely sexism and discrimination. They discussed how the passage of time, political climate and the Me-Too Movement has impacted women in law. Sarah is a member of Copeland Stair's Diversity Committee and President-Elect of the SCDTAA. For more information about this seminar or the SCDTAA, please click here.
Your Bias is Showing: Impact of Bias on Case Evaluation, Settlement, and Jury Deliberations – Presentation at Copeland Stair’s 2019 Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Seminar
September 12, 2019
With verdicts in the Southeast on the rise, the potential impact of personal biases and its effect on case management is just as critical to understand as jury bias. Sarah Wetmore Butler was joined by friend and trained jury consultant, Maithilee K. Pathak, PhD JD and shed light on the different areas of bias. They provided guidance in attempting to understand and manage those biases, both in decision-making and presentation at trial. Attendees were given insight to its evolution and impact on overall decision making. For more information on this presentation or firm seminars, please contact Michelle Mattox.