Fred retired from the active practice of law on March 15, 2024. He has practiced civil litigation exclusively for over 40 years and tried in excess of 100 Jury Trials. He concentrated his practice in the defense of businesses and individuals in civil lawsuits, including business and commercial litigation and defense in all areas of tort litigation. Fred handled numerous cases involving insurance coverage disputes and bad faith litigation, involving both first and third-party claims. Fred was also active in the Trucking Industry Defense Association and has handled numerous liability and coverage cases in the trucking and transportation area. He has participated in hundreds of mediations and was retained routinely by the Firm’s clients to handle cases in Georgia’s Appellate Courts. He has spoken at numerous legal and claims seminars throughout the United States and has published several articles on tort insurance law and insurance coverage.

From 2007-2012 and 2015-2023, Fred was an honoree on the Georgia Super Lawyers® list in Atlanta Magazine and is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Since 2013, he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®.

In 2023, Fred took over as Managing Partner of Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP and managed the firm until retiring.