Charles Lewis

Mr. Lewis concentrates his practice in the area of construction law and litigation and alternative dispute resolution in the construction settling.

Experience

Mr. Lewis has acted as an arbitrator in more than thirty (30) arbitrations, most involving multi million dollar claims and counterclaims, most lasting four (4) weeks or more. He has also represented clients in more than thirty (30) arbitrations.

Work History

Mr. Lewis was an associate and partner for the law firm of Baker & McKenzie from 1976-2001, a partner with the law firm of Jenkins & Gilchrist from 2001-2006 and is currently a partner with Duane Morris LLP, all in the city of Chicago.

Cases

Mr. Lewis has acted as an arbitrator on cases involving high rise construction, mining, waste water treatment plants, universities and churches.

Training

Consolidation and Joinder Issues In Construction Arbitration, 2016; Developments in the Law of Arbitral Jurisdiction - October 2015; AAA Conducting Research and Investigations - The Arbitrator’s Authority (ACE009), 2015; AAA Managing Your First Arbitration, 2011; AAA Webinar, Arbitrator Boundaries; What are the Limits of Arbitrator Authority?, 2011; College of Commercial Arbitrators Annual Meeting, 2010, 2007; AAA Navigating the Arbitration Roadmap, 2008; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel; Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics (ACE005), 2006; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards (ACE001), 2004; AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure (ACE003), 2004; AAA Annual Arbitrator Update, 2002; AAA Arbitrator II: Advanced Case Management Issues, 2001; AAA Construction Arbitrator Training Workshop, 2001, 1998

License(s)

Admitted to the Bar: Illinois, 1976; U.S. District Court, District of Illinois, 1976; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1976; United States Supreme Court, 2012.

Education

University of San Francisco (JD -1976) University of Michigan (BA-1972)

Publications

Co-author, ’Limitations on the Rights of Fringe Benefit Funds to Collect in a Lien Foreclosure Action,’ ISBA CONSTRUCTION LAW NEWSLETTER, September 2016, Vol. 7, No. 1; co-author, ’Jurisdiction Chapter: USA Construction Law,’ INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE LEGAL GUIDE TO: CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING LAW 2016, July 2016; co-author, ’Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees, Costs and Expenses,’ Construction Litigation Handbook, IICLE Press, 2013; profiled in ’Charlie Lewis: Global Construction Dispute Resolution ’Makes Life Interesting’,’ LEADING LAWYERS NETWORK, January 2009; The Art of Picking an Arbitrator,’ CBA RECORD, Chicago Bar Association, April 2008; ’The Art of Picking an Arbitrator,’ IN THE ALTERNATIVE, Illinois Bar Association, February 2008; co-author, ’Subcontractors Dealt a Winning Hand by Nevada Legislature - Nevada’s Prompt Payment Act,’ CONSTRUCTION LAWYER, Legislative Update, Spring 2007; ’The Varied Role of Construction Lawyers,’ LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, 2005; ’Doing Business In Mexico’ CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE, February 2005; ’What’s Wrong With Chicago’s New General Contractor’s Licensing Ordinance?’ CHICAGO BUILDING CONGRESS, THE EDIFICE, Chicago, February 2005; ’Ten Tips For Making Your Mediation Successful: A View From The Mediator’s Chair,’ PRESIDENT & CEO MAGAZINE, September 2004; ’Discretion The Better Part of Valor: Arbitration In Lieu Of Litigation,’ PRESIDENT & CEO MAGAZINE, August 2003.

Awards

Listed in CHAMBERS USA: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS as a Tier One construction lawyer, one of only six construction lawyers in the State of Illinois to be so honored; listed in BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA; named as ’Super Lawyer,’ by CHICAGO MAGAZINE and LAW & POLITICS; named one of the leading attorneys in the area of construction law by the AMERICAN RESEARCH CORPORATION; named leading lawyer in construction law by the CHICAGO LAW BULLETIN PUBLISHING COMPANY and LEADING LAWYER NETWORK; named leading lawyer in the areas of construction law and ADR law by the CHICAGO CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY COUNCIL; former President of TRIAL’S LAWYER CLUB OF CHICAGO.

Panels

Mr. Lewis has been selected by lawyers and construction industry professionals who specialize in construction mega projects to be part of the American Arbitration Association’s new national Mega Project Panel of Arbitrators. This panel is limited to approximately sixty (60) arbitrators nationwide. In addition, Mr. Lewis has also recently been selected by a rating committee made up of a diverse group of advocates and in-house counsels representing clients in large complex disputes to be one (1) of eleven (11) mediators on the American Arbitration Association’s new Midwest Master Mediator Panel.

Associations

American Bar Association (Construction Industry Forum); Illinois Bar Association; Chicago Bar Association; DuPage County Bar Association; College of Commercial Arbitrators (Fellow); Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago (Past President); Chicago Construction and Real Estate Council (Past Director); Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys (Past Membership Chair); Associated General Contractors of America; International Mediation Institute (IMI) Certified Mediator.

Miscellaneous

Mr. Lewis is an active member of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys and a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators. He has written articles for CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE, PRESIDENT & CEO MAGAZINE, CHICAGO BUILDING CONGRESS, EDIFICE, CHICAGO BAR JOURNAL, CONSTRUCTION LAW NEWS and ILLINOIS LAW JOURNAL. CHAMBERS USA: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS cites Mr. Lewis as a leader in the area of construction law. Mr. Lewis has also acted as an expert witness in a legal malpractice matter stemming from a construction dispute.