Charles A. Weiss

  1. People /

Charles A. Weiss

Charles A. Weiss

Partner

  1. People /

Charles A. Weiss

Charles A. Weiss

Partner

Charles A. Weiss

Partner

St. Louis

T: +1 314 259 2215

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Biography

Charles Weiss, a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, has more than 40 years experience in business and complex litigation, representing numerous Fortune 500 companies and other clients in significant litigation matters involving class action, intellectual property, federal and state securities law, antitrust and unfair competition, product liability, fraud, False Claims Act, employment discrimination, trade secrets and non-compete agreements, insurance coverage, state and federal constitutional law, Lanham Act and false and misleading advertising, software development, legal and accounting malpractice and breach of commercial and government contracts.

He has handled cases at both the trial and appellate levels, having appeared in more than 30 federal district courts around the country and in seven circuits of the Federal Courts of Appeals, the Federal Court of Claims and the United States Supreme Court. He has represented clients in matters where the amounts in issue have exceeded $1 billion.

He also has more than 35 years experience in government contract matters including preparation of proposals, negotiations of contracts, bid protests, government audits and investigations, defective cost claims, complex litigation and arbitrations, grand jury investigations and subpoenas, internal investigations, teaming agreements, licensing and rights in data agreements and disputes, qui tam suits, terminations for convenience and default and claims before Boards of Contract Appeals, Claims Court and state and federal courts.

In addition, he has counseled clients in connection with negotiating and drafting construction contracts, bidding on and proposing contracts, preparing and defending claims, mechanic’s liens and construction bonds and title insurance. He has represented clients in resolving disputes on numerous construction projects, both domestic and foreign, including the world’s three tallest buildings, highway projects, energy generation plants, ethanol plants, major school district renovations, military base housing, hotels, hospitals, residential developments, mining facilities, manufacturing facilities, secondary wastewater treatment plants and parking garages. Mr. Weiss chaired the Annual St. Louis Conference on Construction Law for several years and has written and lectured frequently on topics related to construction and government contract law.

Civic Involvement & Honors

  • Recognized by American College of Trial Lawyers as a Distinguished Pro Bono Fellow (2021)

  • Named Lawyer of the Year by Missouri Lawyers Weekly (2020)
  • Missouri State Public Defender Director’s Award (2017)
  • Jefferson National Parks Association (The Arch and Old Courthouse in St. Louis) (Chairperson)
  • United Way of Greater St. Louis (Board of Directors)
  • Notre Dame Club of St. Louis (President)
  • Notre Dame National Alumni Association (Vice President)
  • Notre Dame National Law Association (President)
  • Volunteer Lawyer at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
  • Watlow Electric Manufacturing Corp. (Board of Directors)
  • Spurgeon Smithson Award presented by the Missouri Bar Foundation, 2015
  • William Weiss Award presented by the St. Louis Bar Foundation, 2015
  • Walston Chubb Award presented by Legal Services, 2013
  • Rev. Michael D. McCafferty Award, Notre Dame Law School, 2013
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2000-present
  • Named Best Lawyer in St. Louis 2010 by St. Louis Riverfront Times
  • Super Lawyers, 2005-present
  • Named Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation Publication, 2005-present

  • National Law Journal's Midwest Top - Rated Lawyer (2022)
  • The 2010 Foundation for Improvement of Justice Award (2010)
  • The St. Louis Bar Foundation Spirit of Justice Award (2009)
  • The Missouri Bar Pro Bono Publico Award (2009)
  • The Midwestern Innocence Project Award (2009)
  • St. Louis Notre Dame Club Citizen of Year Award (2009)
  • The Distinguished Lawyer Award from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (2008)
  • The Outstanding Lawyer Award from the St. Louis Bar Foundation (2006)
  • American Judicature Society’s The Herbert Harley Award (2006)
  • The President’s Award from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (2004)
  • Distinguished Service Award from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (1998)
  • Award of Merit presented by The Missouri Bar (1997)

Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • American Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2006-2009; House of Delegates, 1985-1995, 1998-2002, 2004
  • ABA Working Group On Building Public Trust in the American Justice System, 2017-2019

  • ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Public Defenders, 2016-2019

  • ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, 2013-2016
  • ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security, 2011-2014
  • The Missouri Bar, President, 1996-1997
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, President, 1984-1985
  • St. Louis Bar Foundation, President, 1983
  • Legal Aid of Missouri Statewide, Inc., President, 2003-2004
  • Missouri Lawyers Trust Account Foundation, President, 1992
  • American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator
  • 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis City) Court Mediation Program, Mediator
  • Civil Service Commission, St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, Chairman
  • The St. Louis Lawyer, Editor-in-Chief
  • Theodore McMillian Inn of Court, President (2022-2024), Master and Executive Committee

Admissions

  • Missouri, 1968
  • United States Supreme Court
    United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Federal Circuits
    United States Court of Federal Claims
    United States District Courts for the Central District of Illinois and Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri

Education

University of Notre Dame, J.D., cum laude, 1968

University of Missouri, A.B., with honors, 1965

University of Missouri, B.J., Phi Beta Kappa, 1964

Related Practice Areas

  • Business & Commercial Disputes

  • Energy & Natural Resources

  • Complex Coverage & Claims Disputes

  • Real Estate Disputes

  • Infrastructure

  • Reinsurance Transactions & Disputes

  • Investigations

  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Real Estate

  • Commercial Real Estate

  • Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

  • Aviation, Aerospace & Defense

  • Campus Free Expression

  • Higher Education Team

  • False Claims Act

  • Government Contracts & Public Procurement

  • National Security

Resources

Publications

  • Author, "The Brief Case," St. Louis Bar Journal, 1979 - Present, authored more than 120 articles featuring recent case developments
  • Government’s Power to Direct Priority of Deliveries, BCLP, January 2021
  • The CARES Act Important Reminders Regarding Student Grants for Institutions of Higher Education, BCLP, May 2020
  • Amended FAR Combatting Trafficking in Persons Went Into Effect on March 15, 2015 for Government Contractors and Subcontractors, BCLP, May 2015
  • Author, "Access to Justice Initiative Results in Exoneration of Young Man," American College of Trial Lawyers Bulletins, Summer 2009
  • "New Federal Securities Class Action Act," St. Louis Bar Journal, Spring 2007
  • "Lawyers Bypassing Lawyers, The Journal of ABA’s Section of Litigation," Winter 2002
  • Co-author, "Public Contract Code and Competitive Public Bidding in Missouri," Lorman Education Services, September, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2009
  • Co-author, "Missouri Construction Law," National Business Institute, 2002, 2004
  • Co-author "Missouri Construction Law," National Business Institute, 1996
  • Chapter on Bidding - Federal State and Private Procurements, The Missouri Bar Deskbook on Construction Law, 1994
  • "Architect’s Liability," St. Louis Bar Journal, Spring 1994
  • "The Law Surrounding Bidding," Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, September 1992
  • Co-author, "Mechanic’s Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law," The Cambridge Institute, 1991
  • Co-author "Missouri Construction Law," National Business Institute, 1991
  • "Alternate Dispute Resolution Methods," Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, May 1990
  • "Owner’s Insolvency on Construction Project Causes Quagmire of Problems," Bar Association of St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, April 1989
  • "Consequences of Owner or Contractor Insolvency and Bankruptcy," The Missouri Bar, September 1989
  • "Review of Recent Significant Court Decisions in Construction and Architect/Engineer Law in Missouri," Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, February 1988
  • "Contracting With The Federal Government," Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, February 1987
  • "Negotiations of Significant Terms and Conditions in Construction Contracts," Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, February 1987
  • "A Primer on Contracting with the Federal Government," St. Louis Bar Journal, Winter 1986 - 1987
  • "Caveat Vendor - The Web of Criminal Laws Surrounding Government Contracting," St. Louis Bar Journal, 1983
  • Author, 'Legally Speaking' column - appeared monthly in Construction Advisor (a publication of the Missouri chapter of the AGC), and in Gateway Engineer, a publication of the Engineers Club of St. Louis
  • Author, "An Anatomy of the Federal Contract Disputes Act of 1978," Journal of The Missouri Bar, 1982, and Yearbook of Procurement Articles, 1982
  • Author, "Sale and Leaseback Arrangement Rescinded When Revenue Ruling Frustrated Achievement of Tax Benefits Upon Which Contract Was Based," Notre Dame Lawyer, 1967
  • Author, "CATV and The Right of Free Speech," Notre Dame Lawyer, 1967

Speaking Engagements

  • "Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations," sponsored by Lorman Education Services, September 2007
  • "Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations," sponsored by Lorman Educational Services, September 2005
  • "Analyzing and Proving Construction Project Damages in Missouri," sponsored by Lorman Educational Services, March 2005
  • "Missouri Construction Law," sponsored by National Business Institute, May 2004
  • "Missouri Construction Law," sponsored by the Seminar Group, May 2003
  • Training Program on Subcontracts presented to Robinson Construction Co.’s project managers and job superintendents, Dec. 20, 2002
  • Training Program on Subcontracts Presented to Robinson Construction Company’s Project Managers and Job Superintendents, Dec. 30, 2002
  • "Public Contract and Competitive Bidding In Missouri," sponsored by Lorman Education Services, Sept. 17, 2002
  • "Missouri Construction Law," sponsored by National Business Institute May 30, 2002
  • "Construction Law Update," sponsored by The Seminar Group, Sept. 27, 2001
  • "Construction Law Update," Construction Conference, sponsored by The Seminar Group, May 18, 2000
  • "’Ex Parte Contacts With An Employer’s Employees,’ Surviving the Employment Law Explosion Seminar," sponsored by The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, February 1999
  • "Mechanic’s Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law," sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, March 1998
  • "Mechanic’s Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law," sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, April 1997
  • "The Missouri Bar and Professionalism," University of Missouri at Kansas City Law School, Jan. 24, 1997
  • "Future Trends in the Law," Experience, Inc., Jan. 15, 1997
  • "Missouri Construction Law," sponsored by The National Business Institute, Mar. 22, 1996
  • "Mechanics’ Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law," sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, Apr. 24, 1996
  • "Arbitrator’s Training Course," for The American Arbitration Association, November 1995
  • "Mechanics’ Liens and Construction Bonds," sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, March 1995
  • "Mechanics’ Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law," sponsored by Bryan Cave, Apr. 5, 1995
  • "Alternate Dispute Resolution, Concepts and Methods" sponsored by Bryan Cave, May 1994
  • ‘Mechanics’ Liens and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law,’ sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, March 1994
  • "Professional Ethics in Business Litigation," sponsored by The Missouri Bar, September 1994
  • "Mechanics’ Lien and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law", sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, December 1993
  • "A Guide to Public Works Contracts - Disputes and Remedies," Bryan Cave and AAIM Management Association, May 14, 1993
  • "Mechanics’ Lien and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law, sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, Oct. 22, 1992
  • "Sixth St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1992
  • "Mechanics’ Lien and Construction Bonds Under Missouri Law, sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, December 1991
  • "Missouri Construction Law," sponsored by The National Business Institute, Nov. 6, 1991
  • "Fifth Annual St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, May 18, 1990
  • "Fourth Annual St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, Apr. 13, 1989
  • "Third Annual St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, Feb. 25, 1988
  • "Second Annual St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, Feb. 26, 1987
  • "Legal Aspects of Designing and Contracting," Construction Delivery Systems Seminar, sponsored by Engineers Club of St. Louis, Dec. 10, 1986
  • "Public Works Contracting," Lionmark Companies Annual Retreat, March 1986
  • "First Annual St. Louis Briefing Conference on Construction Law," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Engineers Club of St. Louis, Feb. 7, 1986
  • "Fundamentals of Contracting with the Federal Government," sponsored by Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, May 1983

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U.S. Supreme Court explains meaning of “knowingly” under the False Claims Act
News
May 10, 2023
Partners featured in ’48 Hours’ on wrongful conviction case
News
Feb 14, 2023
BCLP trial team wins exoneration of Missouri man after 29 years in prison for murder
Awards
Sep 21, 2022
Partner honored for pro bono work by Foundation for Improvement of Justice
Awards
Aug 18, 2022
The Best Lawyers in America© 2023
Pro Bono
Oct 18, 2021
Partner Named Distinguished Pro Bono Fellow by ACTL
Pro Bono
Aug 11, 2021
Weiss’ Innocence Project Pro Bono Work Featured by ACTL
Insights
Jan 29, 2021
Government’s Power to Direct Priority of Deliveries