Charles Pereyra-Suarez, Esq.

With over three decades of experience handling civil and criminal matters, Charles Pereyra-Suarez is uniquely capable of resolving a wide variety of conflicts. Mr. Pereyra-Suarez's experience includes complex business litigation, white collar criminal defense, healthcare, environmental, real estate, employment, antitrust, civil rights, and First Amendment representation. As a neutral in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) matters, he also has conducted many mediations and arbitrations of litigation and business disputes.

Mr. Pereyra-Suarez served as a litigation partner in two national law firms, as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, and as a trial and appellate attorney in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Additionally, he has been active in numerous professional, educational and civic endeavors as a board member, lecturer, author, law professor and judge pro tem. A native of Uruguay, South America, he is fluent in Spanish.

Mr. Pereyra-Suarez's litigation and client counseling experience allows him to mediate or arbitrate a wide variety of cases. Moreover, his work as an ADR neutral has included resolution of notable "high-stakes" matters. He has acted as an arbitrator, and as the chair of three-arbitrator panels, in connection with significant multi-million dollar disputes.

Areas of Expertise

Antitrust
Civil Rights
Complex Litigation
Discovery
Employment
Entertainment
Environment
Expert Witness
Fee Disputes
Health Coverage
Insurance
Legal Malpractice
Party-Arbitrator
Products Liability
Professional Liability
Real Estate

Professional Experience

Principal, Law & Resolution Offices of Charles Pereyra-Suarez (1998-Present)

Practice emphasizes civil and criminal litigation in the federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. Served as defense counsel in a five-month federal racketeering trial. Counsel for plaintiffs in a real estate fraud lawsuit against a residential/commercial broker, in a product liability lawsuit against a major automobile manufacturer, and in a religious discrimination lawsuit against a large employer--all resulting in significant settlements for the plaintiffs. Expert witness for the plaintiffs in a legal alpractice case that resulted in a jury verdict exceeding $30 million in favor of the plaintiffs. Experienced as counsel in numerous mediations of civil litigation matters, and one major employment arbitration. Active as a mediator and arbitrator in a broad range of litigation and business disputes.

Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine (1995-1998)

Led white collar criminal defense practice and acted as a senior litigator in the Los Angeles office of a 300-attorney Seattle-based national law firm. Developed a model compliance plan for healthcare industry clients. Lectured and wrote extensively regarding healthcare fraud issues. Represented international corporate clients in litigation, employment, import-export and criminal law matters.

Partner, McKenna & Cuneo (1986-1995)

Acted as Chair of Litigation Department, Co-chair of Pro-Bono Practice Committee, and assignments partner in 60-attorney Los Angeles office of a Washington, D.C.-based national law firm. Lead counsel in complex six-month civil trial involving a multi-million dollar dispute between two government contractors. Lead counsel in major criminal / civil fraud investigations and related "whistleblower" lawsuits. Lead counsel in several civil and criminal environmental matters. Represented government contractors in suspension/debarment federal administrative proceedings, and in "global dispositions" of matters pending simultaneously in civil, criminal and administrative forums.

Senior Litigation Associate, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (1982-1984)

Represented Southern California Edison, the prevailing party, in a complex antitrust lawsuit initiated by five municipalities. Supervised the Wickes Chapter 11 bankruptcy "stay" litigation. Successfully defended a diving equipment manufacturer in major unfair competition lawsuit. Litigated complex asbestos liability coverage and bad faith insurance matters.

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, Los Angeles (1979-1982)

Served as prosecutor in ten-week precious metals fraud trial, which was touted by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of its most significant nationwide fraud prosecutions. Supervised FBI investigations of alleged criminal civil rights violations, including the jail hanging death of football player Ron Settles. Briefed and argued several cases before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trial and Appellate Attorney, Civil Rights Division, U. S. Justice Department (1976-1979)

Prepared Supreme Court and Court of Appeals briefs for the government in cases involving housing discrimination, school desegregation, the rights of the institutionalized and the rights of the handicapped. Participated in litigation challenging conditions of confinement in jails, prisons and juvenile institutions in five states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Education

Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley, 1973-1975, Juris Doctor Degree, May 1975. Member, Ecology Law Quarterly; Member, Moot Court Board; Clinical Semester -- LEAA Criminal Justice Management Training Program at Georgetown University Law Center.
UCLA School of Law, 1970-1971. Invitee, UCLA Law Review.
Pacific Union College, Angwin, California, 1966-1970. Bachelor of Arts Degree, magna cum laude, June 1970. Major in history, minor in rhetoric and public address. Editor-in-Chief, Campus Chronicle (awarded highest "All American" honor rating by Associated Collegiate Press both semesters); President, Senior Class; President, Foreign Languages Club; Member of Student Senate and Student-Faculty Council.

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Moderator, Fraud Issues, Whittier Law Review Health Law Symposium, 1996-1998
Co-author, "Litigation Issues in Fraud and Abuse" Whittier Law Review (1997); and "Ring Around the White Collar: Defending Fraud and Abuse," Whittier Law Review (1996)
Panelist, Federal Civil Practice, Federal Bar Association Annual Seminars, 1994-1998
Panelist, State Bar Program on Federal Criminal Practice, 1995
Co-Author, California Practice Handbook: Pretrial Disposition (Matthew Bender & Co.), 1993

Memberships and Associations

Member of the U.S. District Court Attorney Settlement Officer Panel, 2004 - present
Member, Southern California Mediation Association, 2002 - present
Member, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, 2002 - present
Member, U.S. Magistrate Judge Selection Committee, 2000 - 2005
Member of Board of Trustees, Pacific Union College, 1997 - 2006

Legal Affiliations

Discovery Referee, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2005 - present
Expert Witness, Professional Liability Issues, 2003 - present
Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, 1999 - 2002
Deputy General Counsel to Hon. William H. Webster, Special Advisor to the Los Angeles Police Commission, 1992

This page was last modified in June 2007

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