Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Business & Commercial Disputes

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

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