Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

Charles counsels clients through the thicket of opportunities and concerns created by industrywide allegations of anticompetitive conduct. In particular, Charles represents corporate clients across the U.S. and internationally to recover damages caused by violations of antitrust and competition law. Charles is nationally known for his successful prosecution of such claims. His clients have included Fortune 500 companies, international manufacturers, name-brand retailers, health care companies and agricultural enterprises. Charles has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients through both efficiently managed global litigation and creative and tenacious negotiation outside the courtroom.

Charles has been at the forefront of successful litigation of claims arising in foreign markets. Global cartels inflict global damages. Charles has successfully recovered those damages both in U.S. courts and abroad. He learns his clients' businesses and focuses on obtaining the recovery most meaningful to each client and it's not always about money. He is well-versed in navigating the complex business partner and supplier relationship issues that often spring from industrywide allegations of anticompetitive activity.

Charles has served as co-lead counsel representing direct purchaser classes in antitrust actions, lead counsel representing individual plaintiffs in multidistrict antitrust litigation, and a trusted adviser to clients facing class action allegations and defending against class action litigation. He has deep, first-hand knowledge of the legal and practical aspects of multidistrict antitrust litigation and the efficient litigation, trial, and resolution of class and individual antitrust claims. Charles has successfully represented clients in litigation, trial and on appeal.

Charles is a frequent speaker on the application of the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvement Act (FTAIA) in modern global commercial transactions and on the intersection of antitrust liability and domestic and foreign bankruptcy law protections. He is the author of "Innovation Economics and the Law: The Health Care Industry's Exposure to Antitrust Liability," published by the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law, and "Damage Issues in Fair Labor Standards Act Collective Action Litigation," published in the Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal. He is noted in numerous industry rankings as a Leading Lawyer in both antitrust law and commercial litigation.