Charlie’s practice centers on corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, economic development projects, banking, and general commercial matters. Charlie is experienced in coal and other energy acquisition and financing transactions, hotel and other commercial real estate development projects, and representing clients in multi-state secured financing transactions. In addition, his practice involves working with state and local economic development agencies in connection with projects throughout West Virginia.

Recently, named the Best Lawyers’ 2017 Charleston Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Charlie has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law, Energy Law, and Mining Law since 2005. He has been ranked in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Real Estate Law in West Virginia, where he was noted for his breadth of knowledge and excellent ability to turn things around.

Between his robust legal practice and his commitment to the community, one is left to wonder when Charlie finds time to sleep. Charlie serves on the Boards of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation – on which he serves as Chairman – and with the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Foundation, on which he chairs the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. He is a former at-large member of the Charleston City Council. During his tenure, he has served as the Majority Leader of the Charleston City Council, as member and Vice Chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee, as member of the Committee on Urban Renewal, and as Chairman of the City Council’s Rules and Ordinance Committee and its Streetscape Committee.

He also is a former Chairman of the Board of the Board of Directors of the Charles M. Avampato Discovery Museum, a past member of the Board of Governors of the West Virginia State Bar, and is a past board member of the Clay Center for the Arts Sciences, Charleston Renaissance Corporation, the Kanawha County Library Foundation, and the Charleston Chamber Music Society. In 1989, Charlie served as counsel to the West Virginia Senate Committee on Small Business and as counsel to the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee.

Charlie loves the practice of law, whether it’s engaging in a spirited legal debate or walking a client through a complicated transaction. He’s valued by those at the Firm as both a colleague and a mentor and known to his clients for his dedication and practical approach to solving problems.