Charles B. Stokes

Charles B. Stokes

Partner

Chuck is the Partner in charge of the firm's Pennsylvania office.

He is a native Philadelphian who served as a Philadelphia Assistant City Solicitor upon graduation from Villanova University School of Law in 1980. In that capacity, he represented the city, the Zoning Board and the Board of Revision of Taxes in eminent domain, real estate tax and zoning matters.

Chuck has practiced exclusively in the field of property and casualty defense for more than 35 years. He has tried numerous jury and non-jury matters to verdict in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania including motor vehicle, premises liability, products liability, dram shop and professional liability matters, as well as hundreds of compulsory and private arbitrations.

Chuck has also successfully handled numerous appeals before the Pennsylvania appellate courts and the Third U.S. Circuit.

Chuck has lectured on the Pennsylvania Dram Shop Law and has given numerous presentations to claims professionals on subjects ranging from contractual and common law indemnification to insurance bad faith and uninsured/underinsured motorist law. Chuck frequently serves as a Judge Pro Tem in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Education
Villanova University, J.D. 1980
Temple University, B.A., Philosophy, 1977
Experience
Chuck has practiced exclusively in the field of property and casualty defense for more than 40 years. He has litigated and tried numerous jury and non-jury matters to verdict in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey including motor vehicle, premises liability, products liability, dram shop and professional liability matters, as well as hundreds of compulsory and private arbitrations.
Admissions
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
New Jersey Supreme Court
Third Circuit US Court of Appeals
United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court, District of New Jersey
Memberships
Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel
Pennsylvania Defense Institute

News Insights

October 15, 2024

Charles Stokes Obtains Defense Arbitration Award in Federal Coverage Case

Russo & Gould Partner Charles ("Chuck") B. Stokes, Esquire has successfully defended a claim for more than $600,000 in compensatory damages brought by the owners of an upscale Burlington County, New Jersey residence. In Walsh v. AmGuard, Plaintiffs filed suit in state court claiming that their homeowner''s carrier had failed to compensate them adequately for damages they allegedly sustained as a result of a 2019 storm. They claimed that high winds tore shingles from their roof, allowing rain to infiltrate much of the building and either damage or destroy walls, floors, doors, windows and other elements of the residence, as well as extensive personal property. They claimed that much of the damage was caused by mold, which they claimed developed during an alleged delay in investigating and adjusting the loss.

October 10, 2024

Kings County Jury Renders a Unanimous Defense Verdict on Damages

Tashi Vaish obtained a unanimous defense verdict on October 7, 2024, before Judge Richard Velasquez in the Supreme Court Kings County. Attendieu Mercilien v. Benson Amilcar et al., Index Number 519899/2018.

September 17, 2024

Nassau County Jury Renders A Unanimous Defense Verdict On Damages In 39 Minutes

David Gould obtained a unanimous defense verdict on September 16, 2024, before Judge R. Bruce Cozzens in the Supreme Court Nassau County. Allebe Telemaque v. Lorena Estrada and Florisela Del Carmen Umana, Index Number 605411/21.