Charles K. Seyfarth

Overview

Chuck Seyfarth is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who helps companies navigate their most significant litigation challenges. He is known as a talented strategist, able to tackle complicated disputes, with a keen ability to align legal strategy with business objectives. Clients rely on Chuck for his expertise in defending high-stakes litigation that threatens the core of their operations, brand, and objectives. He has particular experience handling cases in the Eastern District of Virginia, helping clients navigate the unique considerations of the “Rocket Docket.”

As Chair of O’Hagan Meyer’s Class Action Practice Group, Chuck has extensive experience defending class actions across the country. He is also known for his experience and expertise in the areas of financial services, privacy and data concerns, emerging technologies, and commercial disputes between businesses. Chuck represents clients in the Fintech and Technology industries. He also represents clients in matters and investigations brought by state attorneys general and administrative agencies.

Chuck is recognized as a top attorney in his field. He is included in “The Best Lawyers in America,” and was recently named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in the field of class action litigation. Chuck has been recognized as a “Stand-Out Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, a “Legal Lion” by Law360, a “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine, a “Super Lawyer” by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, and named one of the “Top Attorneys in Richmond” by Richmond Magazine. Chuck’s clients also appreciate his work:

• Strategically, he thinks company-wide rather than the individual case, and he’s a very smart litigator that understands the best way to accomplish our goals.
• He’s very personable, he’s very smart, and strategic as a litigator. He understands the company’s objectives and how to accomplish them.
• He’s a great strategist.
• He goes above and beyond in understanding my company.
• He is a very practical thinker and comes at something from the client perspective.

The common thread to Chuck’s practice is he works closely with general counsel and business leaders to manage significant legal challenges by developing a strategy that aligns the client’s legal objectives with its business objectives.

In addition to representing his clients, Chuck is active in the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Richmond Bar Association and is a member of the John Marshall American Inn of Court. He has served as President of the Board of Directors of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and as a Board Member of the Legal Aid Justice Center. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Experience

• Obtained a defense verdict for a global technology company in multi-billion dollar technology dispute
• Represented multiple financial services providers in nationwide class action lawsuits challenging the controlling law applicable to loan products
• Represented multiple members of the Fintech industry in nationwide class action lawsuits challenging loan products
• Represented multiple tribal lending companies in putative class actions challenging loan products
• Represented multiple financial services providers in nationwide class action lawsuits alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)
• Representing multiple clients in actions brought by state attorneys general
• Represented an international social media network in a defamation action challenging network content
• Represented multiple clients in class and single-plaintiff actions challenging the enforceability of arbitration agreements
• Represented multiple consumer reporting agencies in nationwide class action lawsuits brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Represented multiple employers in nationwide class action lawsuits brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Represented multiple entities in nationwide class action lawsuits brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
• Represented multiple lenders and business entities in arbitration proceedings throughout the United States
• Represented multiple ski areas in litigation involving winter snow sports and summer recreational activities
• Obtained dismissal of a nationwide class action lawsuit in “junk fax” case brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
• Represented clients in nationwide class action lawsuit regarding the “prior express consent” provision of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
• Represented multiple financial services providers in actions challenging business model and lending activities
• Obtained a verdict and judgment for an international insurer in a business dispute
• Obtained the dismissal of lawsuit on behalf of an international bank in a Fair Credit Reporting Act action
• Defended class action claims against financial services client in Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, and handled appeals before the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth and Eleventh Circuits, the Supreme Court of Arkansas, and the Supreme Court of Mississippi
• Represented financial services client throughout the United States in claims involving consumer lending and financial services issues
• Represented a consumer reporting agency in a class action lawsuit alleging Fair Credit Reporting Act violations based upon failure to provide proper notice to the consumers when reporting public record information for employment purposes, failure to comply with adverse action notice requirements, and failure to conduct timely reinvestigations upon receipt of consumer disputes
• Represented a consumer reporting agency in a class action lawsuit alleging Fair Credit Reporting Act violations based upon reporting of outdated public record information in consumer background reports
• Represented a consumer reporting agency in a class action lawsuit alleging Fair Credit Reporting Act violations based upon failure to provide proper notice to consumers when reporting public record information for employment purposes
• Represented a consumer reporting agency in an indemnity action by a debt collector sued for class action violations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Represented the employer in a class action lawsuit alleging Fair Credit Reporting Act violations based upon failure to obtain proper authorization before requesting background report on applicants for employment and for violation of adverse action requirements
• Represented a consumer reporting agency in a class action lawsuit alleging Fair Credit Reporting Act violations based upon failure to provide proper notice to consumers when reporting public record information for employment purposes
• Represented a client charged with alleged Equal Credit Opportunity Act violations related to compliance with adverse action requirements
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of an international recreational equipment manufacturer
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of an international industrial equipment manufacturer in a wrongful death action
• Represented a Fortune 300 defense contractor in seeking exemption from the BlackBerry “blacklist” in BlackBerry patent litigation
• Represented one of the nation’s top universities in a $150M contract and intellectual property dispute
• Served as lead counsel in an oral argument before the Supreme Court of Virginia
• Defended clients in actions brought by state attorneys general and administrative agencies
• Represented an international financial association in a dispute challenging the French language provision of Quebec Constitution
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of an international ski manufacturer
• Represented a Fortune 100 corporation in a Multiple Claimants Litigation Act action alleging defective medical equipment
• Represented a financial services client in a constitutional challenge to a newly enacted statute
• Successfully argued a fraudulent joinder motion on behalf of a Japanese power-tool manufacturer
• Represented the Commonwealth of Virginia in employment litigation, including a Title VII race discrimination action
• Obtained a dismissal on behalf of a Japanese manufacturer based on lack of jurisdiction in the District of Columbia
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a Fortune 100 product manufacturer

Honors & Speeches

Honors

• Lawyer of the Year, Class Actions, The Best Lawyers in America, 2025
• Best Lawyers, Class Action Litigation, The Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2025
• Virginia Super Lawyer - Business Litigation, Class Action & Mass Torts, Product Liability, Law & Politics magazine, 2012-2024
• Legal Lion, Law360, 2023
• Stand-Out Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2022-2024
• Virginia Super Lawyer – Civil Litigation Defense, Law & Politics magazine, 2012-2022
• Legal Elite, Civil Litigation, Virginia Business magazine, 2011-2012, 2016
• Top Attorneys in Richmond, Richmond Magazine, 2015

Publications & Speeches

• Speaker, “Class Actions 101: The Rules, Certification, Settlement and the Court” Richmond Bar Association CLE, May 2016
• Speaker, “Legal Update,” National Ski Areas Association, Wintergreen, Virginia, October 2010
• Speaker, “Legal Update,” National Ski Areas Association, Wisp, Maryland, October 2008
• Speaker, “The Enforceability of Class Action Waiver Provisions in Arbitration Agreements,” DRI Business Suit, April 2008
• Speaker, “The Enforceability of Class Action Waiver Provisions in Arbitration Agreements,” PLBA, Elbow Beach, Bermuda, November 2007
• Speaker, “Minimizing and Managing Your Risks in Today’s Litigious Environment,” General Eastern Risk Retention Group, Wintergreen, Virginia, September 2007
• Speaker, “The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005: What You and Your Clients Need to Know,” Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Charlottesville, Virginia, May 2006
• Speaker, “The Employment Process from A to Z: Avoiding Charges and Litigation,” SES, Richmond, Virginia, March 2005
• Speaker, “Effective and Enforceable Arbitration Agreements,” LES, Richmond, Virginia, October 2004
• Speaker, “Exempt Versus Nonexempt Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” LES, Richmond, Virginia, May 2004
• Speaker, “Legal Update,” National Ski Areas Association, Snowshoe, West Virginia, October 2002

News

Professional

• Member, John Marshall American Inn of Court
• Member, Virginia Bar Association
• Member, Board of Directors, Richmond Chapter, Federal Bar Association
•  Member, Board of Directors, Former President, National Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
• Member, Richmond Bar Association
  • Member, RBA Judiciary Committee
  • Chairman, RBA Administration of Justice Committee, 2013
  • Chairman, Pro Bono Committee, 2009-2011

Community

Chuck has served as President of the Board of Directors of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and as a Board Member of the Legal Aid Justice Center. He is a member of the John Marshall American Inn of Court, serves on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Bar Association. Notably, Chuck is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law.