Charles provides skilled, discerning, and ethical advocacy for, and advice to, professionals and companies. As a Co-Chair of Moss & Barnett’s nationally acclaimed Professional Liability team, he focuses his practice on defending lawyers and accountants against malpractice and other professional liability actions, and on assisting professionals with licensing and compliance issues. Charles also advises CPAs and lawyers in risk management, compliance, and other issues. Additionally, he represents insurers in coverage issues and businesses in commercial litigation matters. Charles is a frequent speaker on limiting liability risk and professional ethics to CPAs and lawyers.

Charles’ litigation achievements span a wide range of state and federal courtrooms. He has handled cases in more than 35 state and federal jurisdictions throughout the United States and is currently licensed to practice in the state courts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In all of his cases, Charles uses his depth of experience to obtain the best possible results for his clients while also helping them understand the complexities and risks associated with the litigation process.

Charles’ practice outside of Moss & Barnett includes having served as the General Counsel of a national CPA firm, chairing the professional liability practice group of a different Minnesota law firm, and working as the associate general counsel for a Minnesota-based software development and consulting company.

Reported Opinions/Recent Cases

  • Willow Run Partners v. Hillstrom, et al., No. A21-0404 (Minn. App. Jan. 31, 2022)

  • Mittelstaedt v. Henney, 969 N.W.2d 634 (Minn. 2022) (authored amicus curiae brief)

  • Everest Stables, Inc. v. Foley & Mansfield LLP, No. A20-1514 (Minn. App. Sept. 7, 2021)

  • JTF Aviation Holdings Inc. v. CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 249 Ariz. 510, 472 P.3d 526 (Ariz. 2020), 247 Ariz. 78, 445 P.3d 1043 (Ariz. App. 2019)

  • Feldman, et al. v. Farris, et al., 2018 WL 4373754 (unpublished), (Wis. App. Sept. 13, 2018)
  • Dow Family, LLC v. Sawyer Cty Abstract & Title Co., Inc., et al., 383 Wis.2d 601 (unpublished), 20148 WI App. 45 (Wis. App. June 26, 2018)
  • EPIC v. CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 199 Wash.App. 257, 402 P.3d 320 (Wash. App. 2017)

  • Roseland v. Wentzell, 864 N.W.2d 356 (Minn. App. 2015)

  • Afremov v. Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC, 922 F. Supp. 2d 800 (D. Minn. Feb. 7, 2013)
  • Ames & Fischer Co., II, LLP v. McDonald, 798 N.W.2d 557 (Minn. App. 2011)
  • Corry v. Analysts Int'l Corp., 215 F.3d 1336 (unpublished), 2000 WL 725746 (10th Cir. June 6, 2000)
  • Diocese of Winona v. Interstate Fire & Cas. Co., 89 F.3d 1386 (8th Cir. 1996)

Credentials

  • Jones, Charles - Super Lawyers

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D.; cum laude

Carleton College, B.A.; cum laude

Classes / Seminars Taught

  • “Lessons from the Professional Liability Front: Claims Can Happen to You” (December 2017)
  • “Accountants’ Risk: Walking the Tightrope,” (August 2016)
  • “Advanced Expert Witness Tactics,” National Business Institute (November 2009 and October 2008)
  • “Lawyer’s Risk Control: Building a Solid Foundation” (August 2009)
  • “Malpractice Risks for CPAs: Navigating the New Frontier” (August 2009)
  • “Employment Practices Liability,” Professional Liability Underwriting Society (September 2008)

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth District

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America (2021-present)

Minnesota Super Lawyers (2014-present)

Minnesota Rising Stars (2001)

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Affiliations

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
  • International Association of Defense Counsel – Chair, Communications Committee
  • Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
  • Professional Liability Defense Federation – Co-Vice Chair, Accountants, Fiduciaries, and Financial Professionals Committee
  • Minneapolis Rotary Club – Member
  • Minnesota Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District Ethics Committee – Former Member

Board Memberships

  • Minneapolis Rotary Foundation – Director

Community Involvement

  • Charles is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Over the years, he has been actively involved in a number of community organizations, including youth athletics; Friends of FANA, Minnesota (a nonprofit organization established to provide support and assistance for the FANA orphanage in Bogota, Colombia, and to families who have adopted from FANA); and the Minnesota Justice Foundation.
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