About Us

At Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP, we are civil litigation lawyers who thrive on fighting for our clients. We work with individuals and institutions large and small and are respected in courthouses throughout the Southeast as well-prepared, forceful, creative and cost-effective attorneys. Our experience, drive and dedication will help you achieve the best possible result with a defense tailored to your case.

We have a proven formula for success:

• Hire quality people.
• Listen to the client.
• Develop the best defense strategy.
• Think and act aggressively.
• Communicate well and often.
• Provide the defense cost-effectively.

In 1970 we had five attorneys. Now, we have approximately 70 attorneys. Our steady growth is a result of referrals from happy, satisfied clients who have experienced the benefit of our efforts. If you have civil dispute concerns, contact any of our Partners or one of our Practice Group Leaders listed below. They will be glad to help.

• Architects & Engineers – Kent Stair, Chair, Melissa Bailey, Co-Chair
• Commercial Litigation – Douglas W. MacKelcan, Chair, and Brian Spitler, Co-Chair
• Construction Litigation – Corey Mendel, Co-Chair
• General Liability – Ryan Dixon, Chair, and Melissa Greene, Co-Chair
• Health Care Litigation – Lee Weatherly, Chair, and Kristen Thompson, Co-Chair
• Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Litigation – Melissa L. Bailey, Chair, and Kathy Carlsten, Co-Chair
• Product Liability – Mark Lefkow, Chair
• Transportation and Transportation Litigation – Stephen Cohen, Chair

We are proud of our achievements, mostly because of the benefit they provide to our clients. Our attorneys are known for taking cases to trial and some of our attorneys have taken hundreds of cases to trial verdict. Our legal teams are committed to providing clients with representation based on our experience and hard work. We craft strategy best suited for client-specific business goals; whether that is settlement, mediation, trial or other alternative methods of resolution. Our peers and clients acknowledge our skill and affirm that we work to obtain the right result. Our skills have been acknowledged by the industry organizations and groups noted below.

• CSVL, 2023 Best Law Firms®; National and Metropolitan recognition in Construction Law and Litigation, Legal Malpractice Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Personal Injury Defense, Insurance Law and Litigation, and Healthcare Litigation.
• Melissa C. Greene, 2024 Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch recognition for Medical Malpractice Law in Atlanta, GA
• Eric J. Frisch, 2024 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year recognition for Health Care Litigation in Atlanta, GA; 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Health Care Litigation and Medical Malpractice Defense in Atlanta, GA; Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Kent T. Stair, 2024 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year recognition for Construction Law; 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Construction Law and Litigation, and Legal Malpractice Law in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC; Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Douglas W. MacKelcan, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Commercial Litigation in Charleston, SC
• Sarah W. Butler, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Construction Litigation and Insurance Litigation in Charleston, SC
• Gary Lovell, Jr., 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Medical Malpractice Defense and Person Injury Litigation in Charleston, SC and Atlanta, GA; Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Lee C. Weatherly, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Personal Injury Litigation in Charleston, SC; Fellow in American College of Trial Lawyers
• Fred M. Valz, III., 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Insurance Law in Atlanta, GA; Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Rolfe M. Martin, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Medical Malpractice Defense in Atlanta, GA; Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Stephen J. Cohen, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Personal Injury Litigation in Atlanta, GA
• Broderick W. Harrell, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Personal Injury Litigation in Atlanta, GA
• Angela C. Kopet, 2024 Best Lawyers® recognition for Insurance Law and Litigation in Chattanooga, TN; Selected to Mid-South Super Lawyers® 2023; Member of The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
• Charles M. McDaniel, Jr., Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers® 2023
• Melissa L. Bailey, Selected to Georgia Super Lawyers® Rising Stars 2023
• Wade K. Copeland (retired), Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers
• David F. Root (retired), Fellow in American College of Trial Lawyers, Member of The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel

Managing Partner – Douglas W. MacKelcan
Talent Partner – Melissa L. Bailey
Finance Partner – Lee C. Weatherly
Strategic Planning Partners – D. Gary Lovell, Jr. and Angela C. Kopet
Office Administrators – Jade K. White and Robert A. Petit