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Practice Focus
Charles is an experienced trial attorney representing corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates and individuals involved in a variety of business, real estate, land use, civil rights, probate, construction and employment disputes. He has tried many cases in Massachusetts state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings and administrative hearings. He has also briefed and argued cases before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court.
Charles has a significant business litigation practice, including disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, antitrust, unfair and deceptive trade practices, trade secrets, non-competition agreements, partnerships and closed corporations, corporate freeze-outs, and other commercial disputes.
- Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of the purchaser and redeveloper of the NECCO Building in Kendall Square, Cambridge against a $40 million claim that a de facto partnership arose from the manner in which parties interacted, and which judgment was upheld on appeal (DSF Investors LLC v. The Lyme Timber Company, Inc. et al., 67 Mass. App. Ct. 110, 854 N.E.2d. 1267 (2006)).
- Obtained an Anti-SLAPP statute dismissal of a defamation lawsuit filed against a landowner/developer relating to an article published by The Boston Globe that described allegations of civil rights violations (Goodhue v. Mersal, 73 Mass. App. Ct. 1109; 897 N.E.2d. 1042 (2008)).
- Defeated an interlocutory appeal in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in a financial planner malpractice case (McMenimen v. Passatempo, 452 Mass. 178 (2008)).
- Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of the purchaser and redeveloper of the NECCO Building in Kendall Square, Cambridge against a $40 million claim that a de facto partnership arose from the manner in which parties interacted, and which judgment was upheld on appeal (DSF Investors LLC v. The Lyme Timber Company, Inc. et al., 67 Mass. App. Ct. 110, 854 N.E.2d. 1267 (2006)).
- Obtained an Anti-SLAPP statute dismissal of a defamation lawsuit filed against a landowner/developer relating to an article published by The Boston Globe that described allegations of civil rights violations (Goodhue v. Mersal, 73 Mass. App. Ct. 1109; 897 N.E.2d. 1042 (2008)).
- Defeated an interlocutory appeal in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in a financial planner malpractice case (McMenimen v. Passatempo, 452 Mass. 178 (2008)).
- Won significant trial challenging an accounting to an estate in Probate Court.
- Represents a telecommunication company against claims that it is liable for the multi-million dollar debt of a third party via its purchase of that company’s assets.
- Represented national temporary staffing company in non-competition and other employment disputes.
- Successfully defended a corporate owner of several North Shore restaurants from a fraudulent scheme to acquire majority ownership, and which involved assertions of corporate mismanagement.
- Obtained defendants’ jury verdict for Boston attorneys and law firm against claims of legal malpractice.
- Represented Boston attorneys in litigation involving the break-up of their law firm, successfully obtained summary judgment on counter-claims, and subsequently negotiated favorable settlement.
Education
B.A., Boston College
J.D., Suffolk University Law School
Honors
Since 2005, Law and Politics Magazine named Charles a New England Super Lawyer in the area of business litigation. Charles obtained one of the largest trial awards ($2.43 million) in Massachusetts in 2006.
Memberships and Admissions
Charles is a member of the Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in Michigan, New Hampshire and New York.
Community Involvement
Charles is a trustee and chairman of the Board for the Georgetown Affordable Housing Trust. He is a Commissioner for the Georgetown Conservation Commission and a member of the St. John’s Preparatory School Alumni Committee. Charles has also served as a mentor for Boston-area students including in the Citizen School Mock Trial Program, in the Citizen School 8th Grade Academy, and in the Boston Bar Association’s Law Day, Lawyers in the Classroom.
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