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.

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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 34 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 each of his clients.

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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:

  • 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)
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Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in Commercial Litigation (2013-2020)

Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Business Litigation (2014-2019) 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), and Appellate Law (2019)

Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization

Chairman, Raleigh Board of Adjustment (2012 – present)

Vice Chairman, 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

Co-Author, Survey of North Carolina Privacy Law and Related Claims Against the Media, Media Law Resource Center 50-State Survey, Media Privacy and Related Law, 2015-present

"Online Speech and the First Amendment: Internet Defamation and other Digital Torts," University of North Carolina Festival of Legal Learning, February 2013 

"AIA Continuing Education Seminar, Risk Management," American Institute of Architects, Triangle Section, October 2012 

"Full-Disclosure" Workshops on N.C. Public Records Act and FOIA, organized by Carolina Public Press at Western Carolina University and UNC-Asheville, March 2012 

Panelist, "Newsgathering Law: How to Stay Out of Trouble When You're Gathering Information for a Story," Online Media Legal Network, September 2010 

 

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.

I enjoy taking deep dives into the particular subject matter of a case. Mastering a particular issue presents a fun challenge, and I think one of my strengths is the ability to be a careful student of the subject matter and get immersed into whatever area the representation relates to.

Recent Publications & Media

Brooks Pierce Art Collection Featured in News & Observer

Firm News
/
May 18, 2017
The works of art accumulated as a part of the renovation of Brooks Pierce’s Raleigh office was highlighted in the News & Observer in an article about curated office art collections. Over the course of seven months, the Raleigh office curated a...(read more)

Speaking Engagements

September 25, 2010

Coble Presents at Media Law Conference

Some of the topics the panel covered included entering private property and collecting private information, acquiring documents and other property, recording phone calls, conversations, meetings and hearings, and dealing with and protecting confidential sources. Charles has experience in...Read more

Recognitions

The 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Forty-four Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
The 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2018 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
The 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 54 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2017 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
The 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 50 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2016 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 26 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2015...(read more)
The 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 48 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2015 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2014...(read more)
The 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© recognized 46 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 39 lawyers, representing 46% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 46 lawyers were...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 45 lawyers,...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 38 lawyers, representing 43% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 34 lawyers,...(read more)
Business North Carolina Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the " Legal Elite " -...(read more)
Three attorneys recognized in "Top 100" North Carolina Super Lawyers Brooks Pierce is pleased to...(read more)

Recent Publications & Media

Brooks Pierce Art Collection Featured in News & Observer

Firm News
/
May 18, 2017
The works of art accumulated as a part of the renovation of Brooks Pierce’s Raleigh office was highlighted in the News & Observer in an article about curated office art collections. Over the course of seven months, the Raleigh office curated a...(read more)
Sunshine

Prak and Coble Speak on Openness in Government

Firm News
/
March 16, 2010
Brooks Pierce partners Mark Prak and Charles Coble updated Sunshine Day attendees on government transparency, saying that threats to openness in government in North Carolina remain. Coble, editor of the newsroom law blog, discussed the changes the...(read more)
Defending Civil Rights (Image of Angry Bee)

Brooks Pierce Partners Successful in Pro Bono Taser Case

Firm News
/
February 1, 2010
Brooks Pierce partners Mark Prak, Charles Coble, and Charles Marshall recently partnered with the ACLU of North Carolina to represent an Elon man who was tased twice in an encounter with police. The pro bono work provided in this civil rights suit...(read more)