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Charles Seemann’s practice emphasizes ERISA and employment law, but encompasses a variety of commercial-litigation matters as well. His practice includes the defense of ERISA plans and plan fiduciaries at both public and private companies, multi-employer plans and plan fiduciaries, and financial institutions providing services to ERISA plans. In addition to ERISA, Charles has extensive experience in a wide range of employment matters, including stock-option disputes and executive-compensation litigation; wage and hour advice and litigation; and private litigation and regulatory investigations in discrimination, hostile-environment and similar matters. Since 2008, Charles has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for his labor and employment work. Although a smaller part of his practice, Charles has litigated intellectual property, non-compete and trade-secret matters, securities fraud, contract disputes and general commercial matters.

Charles has participated in the resolution of complex and class action matters in a number of jurisdictions, including New York, California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Indiana, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Representative cases of Charles’s include:

  • Brown v. Owens Corning Investment Review Committee, et al., 2008 WL 5378361 (N.D. Ohio Dec. 24, 2008), affirmed at 622 F.3d 564 (6th Cir. 2010) – represented institutional trustee of Owens Corning retirement plans against ERISA class-action claims arising out of Owens Corning’s financial collapse and subsequent bankruptcy; dismissal on summary judgment affirmed on appeal
  • Trustees of the New York State Nurses Ass’n Pension Plan v. Cabrini Medical Center, No. 08-6918 (S.D.N.Y.), affirmed at 2009 WL 3806409 (2d Cir. Nov. 16, 2009) – represented multi-employer plan in action for unpaid employer contributions; successfully recovered 100% of unpaid contributions, prejudgment interest and liquidated damages, despite defendant's bankruptcy filing
  • Abbey v. Skokos, No. 06-0409 (S.D.N.Y.), affirmed at 303 Fed. Appx. 911 (2d Cir. 2008) - obtained dismissal of individual defendant in securities-fraud claim arising from investment partnership; dismissal affirmed on appeal
  • Ferrer, et al. v. Chevron Corp., 34 Empl. Ben. Cas. (CCH) 1031 (S.D. Miss. Nov. 4, 2004), affirmed at 484 F.3d 776 (5th Cir. 2007) - obtained dismissal of 26 consolidated ERISA claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation against corporation sponsoring an enhanced-retirement program to accomplish companywide reduction in force; dismissal affirmed on appeal
  • DiFelice v. US Airways, Inc., 397 F. Supp. 2d 735 (E.D. Va. 2005) - obtained dismissal of directed trustee for 401(k) plan in class action claiming breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA
  • Lake Forest Management, LLC v. HealthMark Partners, Inc., 2004 WL 2473449 (E.D. La. Nov. 3, 2004), affirmed at 138 Fed. Appx. 676 (5th Cir. 2005) - obtained bench judgment for developer against claims of bad-faith breach of contract; affirmed on appeal
  • Reynolds v. Paulson, 871 So. 2d 1215 (La. App. 4th. Cir. 2004) - obtained dismissal of corporate officers accused of mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty; affirmed on appeal

Charles’s activities include regular speaking and writing engagements around the country. Recent topics of these engagements include ERISA, employment law, health care law, and risk management for in-house counsel. He also is active in community and civic affairs and donates his time and professional services to numerous causes.

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