General Info:
Allen, Kopet & Associates was founded in December, 1995 by G. David Allen, Jr. Mr. Allen left a large insurance defense Firm because of the changing legal environment and a desire to become more forward thinking, progressive and efficient in the representation of clients. Originally established as a "boutique" Firm in Chattanooga, Tennessee, specializing in the defense of workers' compensation claims, the Firm immediately began to evolve. In 1996, the Firm hired Jeff Kopet as an associate in the Chattanooga office. Mr. Kopet had worked with Mr. Allen in his former Firm. Clients began to seek representation from the Firm throughout Tennessee, which necessitated the opening of the Firm's second office in Jackson, Tennessee in April of 1997. This allowed for representation across the State. Subsequently, Mr. Kopet was made a Member of the PLLC and the current name was chosen. The Firm began to add additional staff and attorneys, seeking qualified, experienced counsel whose goals and work ethics matched those of the Firm. The Firm also began to expand its representation to include all civil litigation, including employment issues, auto liability, premises liability and medical/nursing home malpractice. Soon it became clear, based on business volume, that additional offices would be needed to effectively, and efficiently, handle the growing client base. The Knoxville, Tennessee office was opened in October, 1998, followed by the opening of the Nashville, Tennessee office in August, 1999. During the same time the client base continued to expand as did the mix and variety of business. Attorneys were hired strictly based on expertise in the handling of various types of business. The Firm also implemented a program to electronically link all of its offices and to provide electronic communication capabilities to all of its clients, if desired. The Firm has been recognized by A.M. Best as one of its recommended Defense Firms and has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In early 2000 the Firm was approached about the possibility of representing several clients outside of Tennessee. This prompted the opening of offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. Continued growth spurred the opening of additional Florida offices, in Tallahassee, in January of 2002, in Tampa, in August of 2003, and in Ft. Lauderdale in May of 2004. Further growth prompted the Firm to open its first Kentucky office in Lexington, in September of 2003. In July of 2005, the Firm expanded into South Carolina, opening offices in Columbia and Hilton Head Island. In April 2006, the Firm expanded into Mississippi and expanded its Tennessee coverage in Memphis. In September of 2006, the Firm continued its expansion in South Carolina with a new office in Greenville, South Carolina. The Firm opened its first North Carolina office in December of 2006 in Charlotte. A Raleigh/Durham office was opened in March of 2007. In August 2007, the Firm opened its first office in Alabama in Huntsville. Alabama representation was further expanded in August 2009, with the acquisition of the Firm McGarrah & Davenport. In June of 2010, the Firm expanded in South Carolina and acquired Alan Belcher Law Offices, LLC in Charleston, South Carolina. In that same month, the Firm expanded into West Virginia by acquiring the Charleston firm of Francis, Nelson & Brison, PLLC. The Firm now represents clients in all counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and West Virginia; allowing clients to limit their counsel over a wide geographic area. The Firm provides reference materials on a number of subjects, which are updated yearly and provided free of charge to our clients. The Firm maintains a web site for client updates, publishes a quarterly newsletter and provides free seminars, upon request, to clients.