Profile

Charles has years of broad-based and expansive experience in managing and resolving environmental issues for his clients.

His rich knowledge of environmental laws and regulations provides a legal advantage to his clients. He has the know-how to establish long-term relationships and the resources to tackle problems and develop durable solutions to meet his client’s diverse legal needs. He routinely and successfully represents clients in:

  • environmental litigation
  • environmental compliance
  • land use planning/environmental review 
  • municipal law

Charles counsels and represents clients with zoning and environmental review procedures under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and National Environmental Policy Act and has extensive experience in general municipal law. He currently acts as attorney of record for the Village of Williamsville and serves as counsel to several other local towns and municipalities.

  • Listed in
    • Chambers USA 2023, Environmental – Upstate New York
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023-2024,  Environmental Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Municipal Law
    • New York Super Lawyers®, Environmental, 2023 (listed for more than 10 years)
    • Buffalo Business First, 2015 Legal Elite of WNY
  • New York State Bar Association, Environmental Committee; State and Local Government Committee
  • Erie County Bar Association, Environmental Committee, Past Chair; Municipal Committee 
  • Executive Editor, Buffalo Law Review, 1994-95
  • Recipient, Max Koren Award

  • Business "Summer Fun" Series - Breweries - An Interview with Chip Grieco and Jennifer Tsyn, Legally Bond Podcast, July 18, 2022
  • Negotiation and Termination of Distribution Contracts, New York State Brewers Conference, March 10, 2022
  • Issues Affecting Craft Alcohol Beverage Manufacturers, Bar Association of Erie County, March 3, 2017
  • Preservation Fundamentals, New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Town of Clarence Historic Preservation Commission, April 29-30, 2016

  • The City of Buffalo Environmental Management Commission, Commissioner
  • NYS Chemistry Council, Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee Member
  • Western New York Book Arts Collaborative, Former Board Member, Active Member
  • Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Former Board Member, Member of Legal Committee
  • Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Board of Directors, Pro Bono Legal Work
  • Congress for the New Urbanism National Conference, Program Committee Chair, 2014 
  • Leadership Buffalo Graduate, 2005
  • City Honors Crew, Director