Bio
Charles W. Spitz is a Principal in the Firm's Casualty Litigation Department and Co-Chair of the Firm's Hospitality & Retail Practice Group. He focuses his practice on representing members of the hospitality industry in a variety of legal disputes in both state and federal court. His clients include local and national food & hospitality companies, including hotel chains, management groups, and restaurants, as well as a variety of retail companies.
Mr. Spitz has defended hospitality, restaurant, and retail clients against general and premises liability, negligent security, foodborne illness, bed bug, and liquor liability claims. A significant portion of his practice is devoted to investigating serious accidents and violent conduct prior to suit and counseling clients on security issues, risk management, and best practices. He has successfully represented his clients at trial in an array of complex litigation matters in both the federal and state courts of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spitz also lectures to industry professionals on various aspects and developments in Pennsylvania tort law.
Mr. Spitz was selected for inclusion in the 2006 and 2011 editions of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers - Rising Stars. From 2013 - 2022, Mr. Spitz has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (top 5%) by his peers as published by American Lawyer Media and Philadelphia Magazine. For information about these selections and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and lists methodologies, click here.
Education
- J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 1997
- B.A. in Political Science, La Salle University, 1994
Bar Memberships
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Association (Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee)
- DRI, Member, Retail and Hospitality Committee
- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA), Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Clerkship
- Honorable Frank A. Buczynski of the New Jersey Superior Court in Ocean County, New Jersey
Recent Matters
- Provided next-day counsel to national hotel and resort chain in regards to a violent altercation at one of the company’s locations that received national media attention. Includes internal and e-discovery investigation, including witness interviews and serving as the hotel’s liaison with police and other authorities.
- Defense of national hotel and resort chain against allegations of assault on premises that received state and local media attention. Includes investigation of assault that originated lawsuit, as well as internal and e-discovery investigation of the matter.
Representative Jury Trials
- Defense verdict for national mobile operator and retailer in premises liability matter involving permanent injuries to shoulder, neck, and back.
- Defense verdict for business owner in premises liability matter involving permanent and catastrophic injuries to foot.
- Defense verdict for business owner in premises liability matter involving permanent and catastrophic injuries to foot.
- Defense verdict for general contractor in indemnification claim.
- Defense verdict for business owner and employee in defamation action.
Representative Cases
- Successfully defended national hotel and resort chain in numerous matters involving premises liability, bed bug, negligent security, and liquor liability claims.
- Successfully defended food manufacturer in foodborne illness claim.
- Successfully defended national retail chain in numerous matters involving serious bodily injury.
- Successfully defended snow and ice removal contractors and landscapers in numerous matters involving serious bodily injury.
Presentations
- Presenter, "Liability Issues Facing the Church," Evangelical Presbyterian Church General Assembly, Denver, CO (June 18, 2019)
- Presenter, "What to Do When Law Enforcement/Government Comes Knocking," HospitalityLawyer Annual Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX (April 10, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Managing a Catastrophic Loss: From Accident Response Through Litigation," Continuing Education Seminar Co-Sponsored by Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of RIMS, Dallas, TX (June 11, 2015)
- Presenter, "The 360 Degree View of a Hospitality Claim," Resort Hotel Association Webinar (April 21, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "The 360 Degree View of a Hospitality Claim," HospitalityLawyer Annual Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX (February 11, 2015)
News & Insights
Education
- J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 1997
- B.A. in Political Science, La Salle University, 1994
Bar Memberships
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Association (Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee)
- DRI, Member, Retail and Hospitality Committee
- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA), Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Clerkship
- Honorable Frank A. Buczynski of the New Jersey Superior Court in Ocean County, New Jersey