Appellate Practice Insurance Law
Nancy A. Copperthwaite
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Nancy Copperthwaite litigates complex disputes, including class actions and appeals, and advises employers on employment law issues. She has handled more than 100 appeals and has argued in all five of Florida’s district courts of appeal (DCA) as well as in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Ranked by Best Lawyers in America for appellate work, her diverse experience includes handling appeals of bankruptcy proceedings, class actions, complex commercial matters, employment disputes, land use matters, real estate litigation and securities cases. She served as Chair of the Appellate Court Committee of the Dade County Bar Association.
Overview
- Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1984
- Princeton University, BA, magna cum laude, graduated 1978
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- Dade County Bar Association - Member
- Dade County Bar Association, Appellate Court Committee - Past Chair
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) - Member
- Key West Chamber of Commerce - Member
- Monroe County Bar Association - Member
- Princeton Club of South Florida - Treasurer and Past President
- Third DCA Historical Society - Charter Member
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- Dade County Bar Association - Member
- Dade County Bar Association, Appellate Court Committee - Past Chair
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) - Member
- Key West Chamber of Commerce - Member
- Monroe County Bar Association - Member
- Princeton Club of South Florida - Treasurer and Past President
- Third DCA Historical Society - Charter Member
- Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1984
- Princeton University, BA, magna cum laude, graduated 1978
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Appellate Practice
- Insurance Law
Awards:
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
- Super Lawyers Magazine 2014-2016, Listed in Florida for Appellate
News & Media
Additional Information
- Representative Experience
- Represented developer in post-trial appeal involving issue of anticipatory repudiation.Gassen Properties, LLC v. Key Cove Landings, LLC, 37 So. 3d 984 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010)
- Represented auto dealer in appeal addressing issues of contract negotiation and interpretation. The Collection, LLC v. Warren Henry Autos., Inc., 13 So. 3d 537 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009)
- Represented Integon Corp. in class certification appeal in suit challenging auto insurance pricing. Integon Corp. v. Gordon, 953 So. 2d 725 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007)
- Clarifying scope of Florida broker statute in connection with sale of auto dealership. Meteor Motors, Inc. v. Thompson Halbach & Assocs., 914 So. 2d 479 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005)
- Represented defendant Viragen in appeal of sanctions award for frivolous securities and RICO claims. Smith v. Viragen, Inc., 902 So. 2d 187 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005)
- En banc proceeding arising from consolidated appeals of class action suits complaining about auto insurers' subrogation practices. Monte de Oca v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 897 So. 2d 471 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004) (en banc)
- Represented insurer in appeal addressing standing requirement for class action claims. Graham v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 813 So. 2d 273 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002)
- Represented State Farm in several appellate proceedings arising from putative subrogation class action. Kendrick v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 970 So. 2d 838 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007) (addressing petition for certiorari); 822 So. 2d 516 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002) (addressing class certification); 780 So. 2d 231 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) (arising from discovery dispute)
- As a matter of first impression in Circuit, ruling on intra-corporate conspiracy doctrine for civil rights conspiracy claim. Dickerson v. Alachua County Comm'n, 200 F.3d 761 (11th Cir. 2000)
- Represented foreign bank in appeal addressing international abstention principle.Ortega Trujillo v. Conover & Co. Communications, Inc., 221 F.3d 1262 (11th Cir. 2000)
- Applying Florida's economic loss rule. Clayton v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 729 So. 2d 1012 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999)
- Represented broker-dealer in proposed class action arising under Florida registration statute. Butterworth v. Quick & Reilly, Inc., 998 F. Supp. 1404 (M.D. Fla. 1998) (interpreting registration requirements); 171 F.R.D. 319 (M.D. Fla. 1997) (addressing class certification)
- As a matter of first impression in Circuit, addressing scope of Section 12(2) of 1933 Securities Act. First Union Discount Brokerage Servs., Inc. v. Milos, 997 F.2d 835 (11th Cir. 1993)
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