Chuck has been many things over the years. In addition to being a husband, father and grandfather, he’s been a police officer, an entrepreneur, a real estate investor and even a professional songwriter.
But nothing gives him the fulfillment the same way that practicing law does. Because despite all the other careers he’s enjoyed along the way, it’s the law that he loves. That, and his family. (And deli food, but that’s a whole different story!)
Chuck was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but it was right here in Michigan where he chose to get his law degree and begin a law firm back in 1995. Starting a business is something Chuck is no stranger to. After all, he has started many businesses in his life, all of them successful, and all of them a source of pride and pleasure. Although, through it all, Chuck knew that family law is where his heart lies, and always would.
Nothing is more important to Chuck than family. His own, and yours. As a parent and a grandparent, Chuck knows exactly how valuable children are, and how hard parents will fight to keep them. Because it’s what he would do for his own family. That’s why when he’s helping parents, whether it’s figuring out custody agreements or battling CPS in court, Chuck gives it everything he’s got. He’s always said he wants to be the kind of lawyer he would hire. And because he has unbelievably high standards, it drives him to be one of the best attorneys around.
In fact, Chuck’s dedication is so fierce that he’s received numerous referrals from opposing parties following the conclusion of cases he’s won. He’s represented fellow attorneys in their divorce and custody cases, along with representing some prosecutors, police officers, high ranking government officials, physicians and countless other Mid-Michigan residents along the way, fighting for clients and their families and making a name as an unflappable and relentless parent advocate.
Along that path, Chuck has mentored countless young attorneys while they began their legal careers. He also serves on Ingham County’s Teen Court and on the Character and Fitness Panel for the State Bar of Michigan. In a spirit of giving back, Chuck annually accepts pro bono cases directly from Legal Aid (now called Legal Services of South Central Michigan).
But Chuck isn’t all work and no play! He does occasionally take a day off work here and there. And when he does, he likes to spend it at home with his wife. Ask what his favorite thing to do is, and he’ll tell you he just wants to hang out with his grandkids and go to the very occasional movie with his wife (where he naps while she enjoys the feature!). He may sound like like a ‘homebody’ – and most days, when he gets a chance, he is – but Chuck likes to get out about as well. He’s helicoptered to the top of an Alaskan glacier, visited the wailing wall in Israel, flown down into the Grand Canyon and has “see the rest of the US” on his bucket list.
However, travel and sleeping through movies aren’t Chuck’s only hobbies. In fact, he’s a renown prankster with a long resume of elaborate tricks. He once smeared Limburger cheese under the seats of a friend’s car right before he set off on a 3 day road trip. And there was that one incident with the toilet paper. But no one talks about that.…. Chuck has a great sense of humor and an unbeatable poker face, both qualities that make him a great family man and a really excellent attorney.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “the only way to be truly satisfied, is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work, is to love what you do.” This is the epitome of Chuck’s approach to his work. He believes passionately in being the best attorney he can possibly be. And as we mentioned before, with his insanely high standards, that’s really saying something!