Charlie is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty. His practice includes a wide array of complex business litigation, closely-held corporation disputes, and product liability cases.
Experience
- Significant experience representing majority and minority shareholders in closely-held corporations in disputes regarding corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and valuations
- Represented numerous manufacturers against claims of products liability, personal injury and wrongful death, including cases involving tires, fuel hoses, wheel rims, acetylene torches, folding tables, and agricultural equipment, among other products
- Represented businesses and individuals in matters involving creditors’ rights issues, securities, real estate, and professional malpractice
- Creditor rights experience including actions protecting the rights of creditors by obtaining replevin, temporary restraining, prejudgment garnishment, and preliminary attachment orders
- Litigated matters involving fraudulent transfers and constructive trust claims
- Involved in numerous appellate cases in the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as appeals in various U.S. Courts of Appeal
- Presents client seminars on effective oral and written communication focused on limiting exposure to litigation
Representative Cases
- Arabian Agricultural Services, Inc. v. Chief Industries, Inc., 309 F.3d 479 (8th Cir. 2002) (successfully represented an agricultural business through trial and appeal of a claim seeking property damage and lost profits from the manufacturer of grain silos after the silos collapsed)
- Ford Credit Company v. Wintz Companies, 184 F.3d 778 (8th Cir. 1999) (represented a large automobile financing company through trial and appeal regarding the replevin of a fleet of trucks and obtaining of a deficiency judgment)
Presentations
- "Counseling to Family/Closely Held Business: Can't We All Just Get Along," Minnesota Family Business Awards Seminar, May 7, 2009
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1992
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., with distinction, 1989
Bar Admissions
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Appellate Council
- Wisconsin Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Woodbury United Methodist Church, Leadership Council
- Evergreen Homeowner’s Association, past president