Charles C Ritter, Jr.
Senior Managing Partner
"We’re aggressive and results-oriented. Lawsuits are about the result, not the process. I’m not going to waste the client’s time and money just for the sake of litigating. I work with the client to define and achieve a successful resolution."
Chuck joined Duke Holzman in 1995, after completing a federal court clerkship upon graduating law school. At Duke Holzman, Chuck learned the core principles of practicing to the standard of excellence: identify goals and a strategy early on, provide the highest quality of service, and efficiently deliver tangible results. After nearly thirty years, Chuck continues to build his practice around this simple yet effective formula.
Chuck practices in the areas of business and commercial litigation, including construction, securities, contract disputes, insurance coverage, personal injury, employment law, estates, and general corporate and transactional work. He represents a variety of clients, from publicly traded companies to general building and construction contractors to small business owners and entrepreneurs in a range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, medical and professional services and private finance.
Chuck has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts, including appellate proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations, and he has advised clients regarding business activities, transactions, and acquisitions. Committed to providing responsive, aggressive, and reassuring service, Chuck builds excellent client relationships and consistently achieves optimal results.
His experience further includes:
- Successful representation of contractors against state, municipal and private owners on claims for extra compensation, delay damages and labor inefficiency claims
- Prosecution of multi-million dollar actions to establish Lien Law priority and recover on Lien Law trust fund theories
- Commercial and residential first party insurance coverage matters, including property damage disputes, arson trials, and class/group based claims
- Successful prosecution/defense of claims under federal securities laws and RICO
- Representation of developers and national retail chains concerning development and landlord tenant disputes
- Millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts
A recipient of the Robert J. Connelly award for trial excellence, he now is an adjunct faculty member of the Buffalo Law School Trial Advocacy Program.
Practice Areas:
Construction & Demolition; Healthcare; Hospitality; Manufacturing; Professional Services; Real Estate and Environmental; Securities; Transportation; Commercial and Residential Insurance Coverages
New York State Bar Association; Bar Association of Erie County; Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York; General Building Contractors of New York; Associated General Contractors of America; Director of Duquense Hunting and Fishing Club
New York State; U. S. District Court for the Western and Northern Districts of New York; United States Courts of Appeals for the Second and Eleventh Circuits
SUNY Buffalo Law School, J.D.
Colgate University B.A. in Psychology and Economics