Citybiz Guest Host: Robert Anderson Interviews Jessica Kopas, Partner at DarrowEverett LLP

Jessica Kopas is a Partner in DarrowEverett LLP’s Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group with over 15 years of experience in all facets of litigation. Jessica’s litigation experience includes handling a number of high-profile cases. One case involved a nationally publicized billion-dollar South Florida Ponzi scheme centered around falsified structured settlements. Her extensive litigation background covers the areas of business torts, complex business and financial fraud, fiduciary claims, probate litigation and bankruptcy and creditor rights litigation.

Over the course of her practice, Jessica has represented clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, in a wide variety of disputes. She has appeared before state, federal district and federal bankruptcy courts in Florida and other jurisdictions. Jessica also has participated in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, including accomplishing complex settlement agreements as alternatives to trial.

Representative Matters

  • Procured eight-figure trial verdict in favor of the plaintiff in complex litigation matter involving misappropriation of trade secrets in Broward County Circuit Court.
  • Prevailed on motion for summary judgement related to complex fiduciary issues involving beneficiaries of a Florida will and several out-of-state and foreign trusts.
  • Prevailed on motions for summary judgment against trustee for breach of fiduciary duty and mismanagement on behalf of a class of beneficiaries of a sizable trust established for their benefit as minors. More than 30 depositions were taken as part of the case.
  • Active member of trial team representing plaintiffs in an eight-figure million undue influence matter, reportedly the longest jury trial in western North Carolina history.
  • Obtained multimillion settlement in complex litigation matter alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims related to a significant banking relationship.

Prior Experience

Before joining the DarrowEverett team, Jessica was a partner at two established South Florida law firms, gaining broad experience in commercial litigation, including complex business litigation and fiduciary litigation.

Related Practices

  • Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution
  • Private Wealth Services
  • Class Action Defense
  • Restructuring
  • Involvement
  • Broward County Bar Association
  • Miami-Dade County Bar Association
  • National Association of Professional Women
  • United Way of Broward County, Tocqueville Society
  • National Diversity Council

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Interview Questions:

Q1. Tell us about DarrowEverett and its presence in South Florida, and tell us a little about your practice.

Q2. Florida is such a unique market with so many new residents. What types of cases are you seeing in increasing numbers?

Q3. With the aging of so many baby boomers, we’re seeing the greatest transfer of wealth to future generations ever seen. With it, brings some pretty complex problems too. What are you seeing more of in the trust and estates litigation work that you’re handling?

Q4. You mentioned that you handle a lot of litigation involving landlord and tenant disputes. What are the factors in play behind that?

Q5. So often in matters of litigation, they could’ve been avoided with proper planning in the first place. How big are the risks if you don’t?

Q6. Does the complex work that you handle translate to greater satisfaction in assisting clients?

Q7. How often do lessons learned from litigation end up helping you help clients in the future?

DarrowEverett LLP is a full-service business law firm with offices in Boston, Mass., Providence, R.I., New York, N.Y., Nashville, Tenn., Charlotte, N.C., Charleston, S.C., and Miami, Fla. The firm offers a diversity of services, including corporate & business transactions, commercial real estate, business litigation & dispute resolution, banking & finance, energy & infrastructure, data privacy & cybersecurity, environmental, government investigations, healthcare & life sciences, intellectual property & technology, labor & employment, private equity, capital markets & securities, private wealth services, regulatory & compliance, restructuring, and tax. In addition, DarrowEverett serves a wide range of domestic & international publicly traded and privately held companies, and nonprofit organizations. To learn more, visit www.darroweverett.com.

Robert is Managing Broker and Owner of Tortoise Realty Group, a commercial real estate brokerage he co-founded in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since moving into the commercial real estate sector in 2021, he has closed over $45 million in transactions, encompassing land, office and multifamily properties.

His experience as co-founder of a 45+ member technology and research agency, Robert understands the challenges of growing an organization and how critical commercial real estate is to its success. Leveraging his vast network in both the business and nonprofit communities, Robert’s ability to adapt and create opportunities where none exist enables him to provide unparalleled value to his clients and partners.

Robert has empowered corporations, nonprofits, healthcare, and fitness companies with innovative and engaging technology, launching digital products worldwide with international and local powerhouses including JPMorgan Chase, NIKE, New Balance, NBC Universal, Major League Baseball, Bank of America, Office Depot, Florida Crystals, Tenet Healthcare, Baptist Health, Palm Beach Atlantic University, United Way of PBC, Palm Health Foundation, Quantum Foundation and others.

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn

Recent News:

DarrowEverett Names Chad Gottlieb as Corporate Department Chair

DarrowEverett Promotes Lindsay Jeff to Vice President of Finance

DarrowEverett Hires Pia Hallidri As CEO

DarrowEverett Renews Fall River Lease

DarrowEverett Acquires Rampart Law Group


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