Christopher E. Hopkins, better known as “Hop,” is a Gainesville personal injury attorney working out of the Farah & Farah office on NW 6th Street. Hop focuses primarily on car accidents and premises liability (such as slip-and-fall cases). With significant experience also in family law and litigation, Hop has encountered some of the most challenging aspects of the legal system. Now, he uses all his experience in personal injury, driven by a genuine passion for problem-solving, and applying a tenacious, outside-the-box approach to secure the best possible outcomes for his clients.
Changing Lives for the Better
I found my calling in personal injury law because I wanted to make a tangible, positive difference in people’s lives. I’ve worked in many areas of the law, including business and family law. These gave me great experience and lessons learned that I still use today. But while family law is incredibly valuable and has many opportunities to do good and make a difference, it was emotionally taxing. We were often dealing with broken homes and broken families and doing our best to find a solution that worked for everyone involved, including the children, but, sadly, that just isn’t always the case. That work taught me an incredible amount of both patience and skill in understanding the emotional aspect of each case I undertake.
In personal injury law, it’s all about changing people’s lives for the better. When we hand them the settlement checks, their lives change. I’ve had tons of courtroom experience, run 10-12 mediations in a single morning, litigated cases, and, in the end, I love that I get to help people the most right here in personal injury law. That’s a good feeling, and it’s a powerful motivator every day to keep giving my absolute best.
Staying One Step Ahead With a Litigation Mindset
I currently focus on the pre-suit phase of personal injury claims, where a case first comes through our doors and gets started. However, my background as a litigator means I approach every case with a trial-ready perspective. I love that our firm believes in preparing from day one as if the case is going to trial, which ensures clients are set up for maximum success, whether a case settles quickly or requires a courtroom fight.
This can sometimes be more costly, which is why not every firm can afford to do it, but it’s the right thing to do. It is this dedication to our clients that has led to the best outcomes, especially when an insurance company initially offers nada but is ultimately forced to pay a substantial settlement.
In one case I’ll never forget, I successfully defeated an insurance company in the courtroom on a complex procedural issue. Even though they tried two different times, with what’s called motions for summary judgment, and there was a bench trial, I was able to prevail all three times, even though the insurance company was fighting tooth and nail. This result came about because I was well-prepared and knew how to handle their tactics. Had I not been so well prepared, the results would likely not have been nearly as good.
For the Best Results, You Have To Think Outside the Box
Something I’m really good at in the legal process is looking at every case from a different perspective, challenging the norm, and uncovering novel legal strategies. I’ve got a reputation for being tenacious and for always looking under every rock to find every possible avenue to maximize my client’s recovery.
Working at a family-owned firm like Farah & Farah, I appreciate our strong family-centered culture paired with a high degree of professionalism. It ensures our attorneys feel trusted and valued while also giving us every tool we could ever need to achieve the best possible results. Eddie and Chuck are outside-the-box thinkers, too, and they’ve done an amazing job in building a culture that trusts its attorneys’ judgment and lets us put together a winning game plan to move cases forward.
Living and Working In Gainesville, I’m Fighting for Local Victims
Although I was raised in Florida, I was born in Detroit, so I’m a diehard fan of the Detroit Lions. In my free time, I love working with my hands, a skill I really honed during the COVID lockdowns when I started building and finishing guitars. On the weekends, you can generally find me tinkering on things around the house, restoring cast-iron pans, and picking up any new skills I can. I love living and working right here in Gainesville with my girlfriend, Rachel, our rambunctious Airedale Terrier, Nisse, and our two black cats, Coriander and Montreal Steak Seasoning (Monty for short), affectionately known as the “Spice Boys.” South Main Station is one of our favorite local hangout spots because it has great music, restaurants, and a brewery all in one place.
