Charles E. Coble
- Raleigh
- t: 919.573.6224
- f: 919.839.0304
- ccoble@brookspierce.com
Overview
A Board Certified Specialist in appellate practice, Charles Coble handles complex business litigation and appeals across a range of courts and jurisdictions. He has represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of matters at the trial and appellate levels, including bet-the-company litigation, franchise disputes, intellectual property matters, and class actions. Among other honors and awards, he is recognized as a "Band 1" practitioner in Litigation: Appellate by Chambers USA (2022-2024). Charles is a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) Certified Superior Court Mediator.
My Practices
Charles has handled numerous complex business litigation cases in federal court and the North Carolina Business Court. His experience includes cases involving significant contract disputes, allegation of fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices, complex agreements between large companies and governments (including the multi-billion-dollar Master Settlement Agreement between 52 US States and territories and tobacco company signatories), franchise issues and the ownership and licensing of copyrights and trademarks. He has also advised clients on internal investigations on a range of issues, including investigations for public companies.
"I enjoy diving deep into the particular subject matter of a case. Being a careful student of the case and its context, along with mastering the legal framework and the client's business, make me a strong and effective advocate for our clients."
Charles has practiced in every level of courtroom, from North Carolina’s small claims and district courts to the U.S. Supreme Court. He is certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Board Certified Specialist in appellate practice, a certification that requires significant experience briefing and arguing matters on appeal, a robust peer review, and successfully passing a written exam. He is one of fewer than 40 attorneys in North Carolina to have obtained this certification. Charles has been involved in over 25 appeals, arguing cases in the Fourth Circuit, North Carolina Supreme Court, and North Carolina Court of Appeals, and he brings that extensive experience of the appellate court system and its rules and procedures to bear for the Firm's clients.
Experience
Cases with reported decisions in which Charles served as a principal appellate brief author, argued before an appellate panel, or participated in trial court proceeding include the following:
- Tetra Tech Tesoro, Inc. v. JAAAT Technical Services, LLC, 794 S.E.2d 535 (NC App 2016)
- Capital Associated Industries, Inc. v. Cooper, 129 F. Supp. 3d 281 (M.D.N.C. 2016)
- Andrews v. Daughtry, 994 F. Supp 2d 728 (M.D.N.C. 2014)
- Warrender v. Gull Harbor Yacht Club, Inc., 228 N.C. App. 520 (2013)
- Hill v. StubHub, Inc., 219 N.C. App. 227 (2013)
- Boyce v. Isley, PLLC v. Cooper, 211 N.C. App. 469 (2012) and 195 N.C. App. 625 (2011)
- Dutcher v. Eastburn, 39 Media L. Rep. 1605 (E.D.N.C. 2011)
- SEANC v. NC Department of the State Treasurer, 364 N.C. 205 (2010)
- News & Observer Publishing Co. v. Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, 597 F.3d 570 (4th Cir. 2010)
- Beaufort County Board of Education v. Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, 184 N.C. App. 110 (2007)
- Kirkman v. N.C. Railroad Co., 220 F.R.D. 49 (M.D.N.C. 2006)
- Knight Publishing Co. v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, 172 N.C. App 486 (2005)
- Tarrant v. Freeway Foods of Greensboro, Inc., 163 N.C. App. 504 (2004)
Credentials
Clerkships
Law Clerk to Judge Frank W. Bullock, Jr., U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina, 1998-99
Honors & Recognitions
Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Litigation: Appellate (2022-2024)
Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in Commercial Litigation (2013-2025) and Appellate Practice (2025)
Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Business Litigation (2014-2024) and as a “Rising Star” in Business Litigation (2010-2012)
Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition in Business Litigation (2015)
Recognized by his peers for inclusion in Business North Carolina’s "Legal Elite" in Young Guns (2011-2012), Appellate Law (2019) and Litigation (2023)
Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1998, magna cum laude
Yale University, B.A., 1995, magna cum laude
Certifications
Certified by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in Appellate Law
Certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) as a Certified Superior Court Mediator
Admissions
North Carolina
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th and 6th Circuits
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina
Languages
- German
Newsroom
News
Professional & Civic
Professional & Civic Activities
Member, Church Council, Community United Church of Christ (2019 - present)
Board Member, Raleigh Inter-Church Housing Corporation (2019 - present)
Chair, Raleigh Board of Adjustment (2012 – 2015)
Vice Chair, Raleigh Board of Adjustment (2009 - 2012)
Member, Raleigh Board of Adjustment (2007 – 2015)
Community Member, Wake County Board of Education Audit Committee (2012 – present)
Member, North Carolina Bar Association (1999 – present)
Member, American Bar Association (1999 – present)
Member, Wake County Bar Association (1999 – present)
Section Council, Appellate Practice of the North Carolina Bar Association
About Me
My occupation if I weren't a lawyer: When I was growing up, I thought I would be a scientist. I was drawn to the analytical challenge of tackling a problem and working to find a solution. Being an attorney requires the same sort of analysis, which may well be what led me to law.
Where I'd most like to live: In Raleigh (where I currently live), or perhaps Munich, Germany.
What I admire most about my clients: I admire clients who are able to shift seamlessly from processing business decisions to processing legal issues and decisions.
My favorite activity away from work: Traveling with my family and running.