Chuck is a respected leader in the fields of admiralty law and insurance law where he has successfully litigated hundreds of cases up and down the eastern seaboard since 1997. His unique style is both aggressive and diplomatic. The consummate professional and gentleman, Chuck is conscientious and treats his clients like family. He takes every case personally because business is personal to him.
Whether he is winning at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, boxing at the gym, or racing his sailboat on Wednesday nights with a crew full of kids eager to learn, Chuck is always competing. It’s in his DNA. As a result, Chuck has built a fiercely loyal following of clients ranging from insurance professionals on five continents to physicians, senior citizens and vets who take comfort in knowing that Chuck will employ smart strategies and tactics to defend them in a cost-effective manner.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Admiralty litigation in federal and state courts
- Defense of vessel owners and maritime companies including against claims for wrongful death and injury at sea
- Marine insurance disputes
- Vessel casualty collision, sinking, grounding
- Yacht builder and shipyard disputes
- Charter party disputes
- Commercial arbitrations – SMA, BoatUS Salvage Arbitration Program, and AAA
- Cargo claims
- Arrest and attachment proceedings
- U.S. Coast Guard proceedings
- Salvage litigation
- Insurance law, including coverage advice and bad faith litigation defense
- Product liability defense
- Commercial disputes including contract formation, interpretation and litigation
- Transportation law including air carrier, rail carrier and trucker liability
EDUCATION
- Denison University, B.S., 1993
- Syracuse University College of Law, J.D. 1997
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor)
- Connecticut Maritime Association
BAR ADMISSIONS
- New York
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- United States District Courts:
- Southern District of New York;
- Eastern District of New York;
- Northern District of New York;
- District of Connecticut; and
- District of Massachusetts
- United States Courts of Appeals:
- Second Circuit; and
- Third Circuit
PERSONAL
- Resides in Fairfield, CT with wife Martha, a 3rd grade teacher
- Proud father of two successful and happy adult sons
- Youth wrestling, lacrosse and sailing coach
- Avid ocean sailor and skipper with thousands of miles logged, including multiple Newport to Bermuda races and countless other regattas since the 1980’s
- Boxing, Jiu Jitsu and running (8 marathon runs, including Chicago, Marine Corps and Philadelphia Marathons)
- Enjoys reading maritime history and other non-fiction
- Officer and former Fleet Captain, Pequot Yacht Club:
- Rear Commodore (2017-2019)
- Vice Commodore (2019-2021)
- Commodore (2021-2023)
