Overview
Recent Results
Full Defense Verdict for Homeowner Accused of Injuring City Worker
Brandon Copeland and Robert Devereux recently obtained a full defense jury verdict in Madison County, Illinois. Their client, a homeowner in Alton, Illinois, was accused of placing heavy materials in her yard waste bag for pick up—items that were so he …
Favorable Verdict Brought In On Construction Negligence Claim
After a week-long jury trial in Warren County Circuit Court, Brandon Copeland and Grace Olson obtained a favorable result for their clients – a construction company and its owner. Plaintiff alleged that the company negligently installed her in-ground s …
Judgement for Insurer holding Appraisal Not Appropriate When Cause of Damage is Disputed
In 2021, Brandon Copeland obtained Judgment against an insured seeking to compel appraisal of alleged hail damage. The insured’s attorneys claimed damages that exceeded $3,000,000.00 and sought to appraise the damage in the face of evidence that much …
Adjuster Accused of Tortious Interference Dismissed from Case
In 2022, Brandon Copeland successfully obtained a dismissal of his client’s claims adjuster after she was named as an individual Defendant in a suit seeking over $400,000.00 for breach of contract and vexatious refusal. The insured alleged the adjuste …
Past Results
- Goebel & Company Furniture, LLC v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, 2022 WL 1080930 (Mo. E.D. 2022) – adjuster was dismissed as a named Defendant where the Court found she was fraudulently joined in the suit with no viable claim against her. Judgment in favor of client, dismissing its employee.
- The Cincinnati Insurance Company v. St. Louis Produce Market, 2021 WL 498876 (Mo. E.D. 2021) – Insurer was not obligated to appraise entire claimed loss where substantial coverage issues were in play (date and extent of covered damage). Judgment in favor of client, finding it did not breach contract by refusing appraisal.
- Roberts v. Alexandria Transportation, 183 N.E.3d 701 (Il. 2021) - matter of first impression for the Illinois Supreme Court finding a settled Co-defendant was not “uncollectable” for the purposes of the Illinois Contribution Act. Decision in favor of client, the Respondent.
- Wilson v. Empire Fire and Marine Insurance Company, 2021 WL 3709651 (Mo. E.D. 2021) – excess liability carrier was not required to provided uninsured motorist coverage to occupants of rental vehicle where state requirements were satisfied by the rental agreement. Judgment in favor of client, dismissing the lawsuit.
- Eisenman v. Podhorn, 528 S.W.3d 22 (Mo. App. E.D. 2017) - jury instruction that required consideration of a homeowner’s actions as part of general contractor’s failure to mitigate was found prejudicial error. Decision in favor of client, Respondent/Cross-Appellant.
- Olga Despotis Trust v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, 867 F.3d 1054 (8th Cir. 2017) - insurer was not required to name an appraiser, and vexatious conduct not found, where insured had made it known it would not participate in appraisal. Decision in favor of client, the Respondent.
- Spearman v. McNeill, Illinois Circuit Court, St. Clair County – pedestrian struck outside of a crosswalk by motor vehicle. Verdict returned for less than client’s offer of settlement prior to trial.
- Roberts v. Alexandria Transportation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois – third-party plaintiff sought repayment of a large percentage of its settlement with underlying plaintiff. Verdict returned for less than client’s offer of settlement prior to trial.
- Henderson v. United Presbyterian Church, Missouri Circuit Court, St. Charles – church attendee slipped and fell on icy steps when she failed to take a safer route. Verdict returned for less than client’s offer of settlement prior to trial.
- Bacon v. O.J. Laughlin, et al, Missouri Circuit Court, St. Louis County – homeowner sued contractor and sub-contractors for water and mold damage to property and person. Defendant’s verdict in favor of client.
- Collins v. Rader, Missouri Circuit Court, Boone County - passenger fell from emergency exit on a bus and sustained a broken ankle. Defendant’s verdict in favor of client.
- Meyer v. Rehnquist Design and Build, Missouri Circuit Court, St. Louis County - homeowner sued contractor of adjacent home for excessive water run-off. Verdict returned for less than client’s offer of settlement prior to trial.
- Cima v. Heartland Credit Union, Illinois Circuit Court, Sangamon County – Client’s customer sued her bank for withholding deposited funds. Defendant’s verdict in favor of client.
Professional Affiliations
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
Awards & Achievements
- Best Lawyers - Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2024)
- Best Lawyers - Insurance Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2019-2022)
- Rising Stars - Civil Litigation Defense, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2014-2016)
Publications
- Author, “The Missouri Court Appeals Further Limits First-Party Tort Claims Against Insurers: Overcast v. Billings, Revisited,” The Firm Inquiry (Winter 2008)
- Author, “Don’t Rock the Boat: (But if You Do, You Might Not Have Liability Coverage under Your Homeowner’s Policy),” The Firm Inquiry (Summer 2008)
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, "Can I Get a Witness: Working with Expert Witnesses from the Initial Claim through Litigation," Brown & James General Defense & Insurance Law Symposium, January 2022
- Presenter, "Can I Get a Lyft? Is Your Side-Hustle Covered?" Brown & James General Defense and Insurance Law Symposium, January 2019
- Presenter, "Evaluating Additional Insured Coverage and Contractual Indemnity Issues," Brown & James General Defense and Insurance Law Symposium, January 2018
- Presenter, "Stacking the Deck: Changes to Missouri's Collateral Source Rule," 2017 Brown & James Tort Reform Seminar: A New Day in Missouri, September 2017
- Presenter, "Is It High Noon? Premises Liability Claims Involving Conceal-Carry and Gun Rights," Brown & James General Defense & Insurance Law Symposium (January 2017)
- Presenter, "Are Condominium Claims the New Mold?" Brown & James Law Symposium (January 2016)
- Presenter, "Advanced Trial Tactics," National Business Institute (September 2015)
- Presenter, "The Ever-Evolving UM and UIM Law in Missouri - Where are We Now?" Brown & James Law Symposium (January 2014)
- Presenter, NBI Insurance Law Update Seminar (2012)
Practices
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law (J.D., 2006)
- Murray State University (MBA, 2000)
- Murray State University (B.S., 1998)
Bar Admissions
- Missouri
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas