Overview

Charley Harris is a Shareholder in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group.  Charley’s practice includes commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. His litigation practice includes matters involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement litigation, corporate and partnership disputes, real estate litigation, insurance coverage litigation, unfair trade practices, factoring agreements, contract, and business tort claims, trade secrets, and trust and estate litigation. Charley has substantial trial experience in state and federal courts.

Representative Matters

  • Lead counsel for national bank in defense of $400 million Ponzi scheme claims in which bank prevailed at summary judgment
  • Represented national food distributor in trade dress infringement claim
  • Defended national bank against patent infringement claim
  • Defended publicly traded company in defense of federal court class action claims based on fraud and Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act
  • Lead trial counsel in trial for private circuit board manufacturer in competing state court claims resulting in $10 million judgment for manufacturer
  • Represented developer in breach of contract claim resulting in $4 million award
  • Defended publicly traded distributor against a $40 million breach of contract/breach of fiduciary duty claim resulting in a defense verdict
  • Defended company and Board of Directors in defense of shareholder securities claims
  • Represented medical device manufacturer in defense of patent infringement claims in which manufacturer prevailed at summary judgment
  • Represented factor in breach of contract matter resulting in $3 million judgment in federal court trial
  • Defended publicly traded company in class action business tort claims
  • Represented publicly traded distributor against unfair and deceptive trade practices claims

Honors and Distinctions

  • Tampa Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2024-2025
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual – Property Litigation, 2013-2025
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2013-2025
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2021-2022
  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Professional Involvement

  • American Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association
  • St. Petersburg Bar Association
  • Board Member, Gulf Coast Legal Services

Community Involvement

  • Foundation for Healthy St. Pete, Trustee, 2015-present
  • American Heart Association, Executive Cabinet, 2019
  • Dali Museum, Trustee, 2009-present
  • Pinellas Urban League
    • Second Vice Chairperson, 2012
    • Board of Governors, 2010
  • Leadership Florida, 2009
  • Florida Chamber Foundation
    • Trustee, 2009
  • Pinellas Education Foundation
    • Board Chair, 2020
    • General Counsel and Board Member, 2004-present
  • St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
    • Board Member, 2016-present
    • Chairman, 2008
  • University of South Florida National Alumni Association
    • President, 2007
  • Police Athletic Association
    • Chairman, 2006

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