Overview

Charles “Charlie” Ketchey is a Senior Member in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. His practice includes business and corporate litigation. Prior to joining the firm, he was a senior litigation attorney and partner in the Tampa office of Akerman Senterfitt, and in the local Tampa firm of Ketchey Horan.

Representative Matters

  • Plaintiff representation before jury on fraud, securities, fiduciary duty issues.
  • Pro bono plaintiff representation in jury case for elder abuse and breach of fiduciary duty
  • Defended national radio network against copyright infringement claim
  • Represented rock band in prosecution of copyright claim.
  • Represented international biotech designer/manufacturer and related corporate principals in defense and prosecution of intellectual property, software, copyright, contract and shareholder claims in multiple state, federal and international courts.
  • Defended international software project management firm against breach of contract claims.
  • Represented board of directors of large nonprofit hospital in related and multiple class and other cases in state and federal courts in defense of ERISA, fiduciary duty, contract and tort claims.
  • Represented NYSE corporation in arbitration of lease terms of chemical pipeline.
  • Represented resort company in defense of claim for commissions before jury.
  • Prosecuted misrepresentation claim in jury case for general contractor.
  • Represented NYSE corporation in development of defensive business and bankruptcy strategy in the Enron case. Prosecuted related property claims in adversary proceeding. Case involved extreme financial exposure.
  • Defended national insurer in jury trial of multi-million bad faith claim.
  • Represented board of directors of public corporation in defense of class action securities claim.
  • Represented auto manufacturer in prosecution of claim for injunctive relief and turnover of dies and tools for manufacture of parts, avoiding shutdown of overseas manufacturing plants.
  • Represented minority shareholders and partners in multiple real estate partnerships in defense and prosecution of claims for control, injunctions and other relief.
  • Represented board of directors, officers and shareholders of multiple insurance related entities in defense of claims by state agency in state and bankruptcy courts. Case involved extreme financial exposure.
  • Represented national bank serving as trustee in prosecution of action for injunction and shareholder ownership, and in defense of action by IRS.
  • Represented retired sheet rock installer for union pension benefits, pro bono.
  • Defended board of directors of NYSE company in action for breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Pro-bono representation of foster mother in parental rights and homicide cases.

Honors and Distinctions

  • Board Certified Business Litigation Lawyer
  • Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Tampa Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2021, 2023-2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Commercial Litigation, 2009-2025
    • Litigation – Bankruptcy , 2011-2025
      • Lawyer of the Year, 2022, 2024
    • Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2011-2025
    • Litigation – Securities Litigation, 2011-2025
    • Litigation – Trusts & Estates, 2011-2025
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2024 (10+ year recognition)
    • ​Top 100: Florida Super Lawyers, 2018
    • Top 50: Florida Super Lawyers, 2019
    • Top 50: Tampa Bay Super Lawyers, 2020
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2007-2008, 2011-2013, 2015, 2017-2018, 2020

Professional Involvement

  • The Florida Bar
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Officer, Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Officer and Master, Cheatwood Inn of Court
  • Federal Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Board member, chairman, officer and founder of various community organizations

News

Thought Leadership

Charlie has authored articles and chapters in books and periodicals on commercial law, corporate reorganization, and shareholder responsibilities. Charlie has also presented numerous seminars in bar association programs and served as legal commentator on television programs.