Charles E. Barbieri

A member of the Litigation Practice Group, Chuck concentrates his law practice almost exclusively in environmental and First Amendment and media law matters. His clients include municipalities, companies and individuals as he assists them with:

• Environmental Law: Litigation; air, water, waste, natural resource permitting and approval; air, water, soil, ground water, surface water, natural resource, right to know regulatory compliance, negotiation of contracts, insurance, review of due diligence for transactions, investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites, sewer authorities, and recycling.
• First Amendment and Media Law: Libel litigation; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and issues, Open Meetings Act issues, subpoenas, news gathering issues, courtroom access issues and access to court record issues.
• General Litigation and Appellate Work: Insurance defense, commercial litigation, defense of claims brought by United States and State units and defense of municipalities.

Chuck is a frequent author on environmental and first amendment issues and was recognized as an outstanding writer early in his professional career when he was articles editor for the Indiana Law Review. Chuck has authored numerous articles of interest for legal and trade publications throughout Michigan.

He has always been involved with professional and community affairs. He has served as section chair for the Environmental Law Section of the Michigan State Bar, has been very active in the American Inns of Court at Michigan State University College of Law as well as serving many roles for the Ingham County Bar Association and the Ingham County Bar Foundation. 

Thomas E. Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award, Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), 2024

AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell

Best Lawyers in America® – (Environmental Law, First Amendment Law, Natural Resources Law, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - First Amendment), 1993-2025

Best Lawyers® – 2014, 2016 Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Lansing

Michigan Super Lawyers, Environmental, 2005-2024

Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award, Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), 2015

National Association of Legal Secretaries - Lansing Chapter, "Boss of the Year", 2004

• Represented manufacturer in the defense against a subrogation claim and prosecution of a separate counterclaim relating to a fire resulting in nearly $100 million in damages.
• Assisted trade organization in drafting and offering testimony on beneficial use reform legislation.
• Assisted a development company in acquiring a 600,000 square foot building and nearby properties that was later used for new manufacturing. Assisted in minimizing the liability for environmental issues, securing Brownfield reimbursement for environmental expenses and carrying out corrective action activities.
• Provided counsel to a public authority in acquisition of additional sewer capacity and participated in expansion of existing sewer facility that cost more than $100 million. Negotiated related agreements.
• Successfully argued in Michigan Supreme Court that residents surrounding former solvent distribution business could not bring property damage claims merely because they lived in the vicinity of the business unless their properties were actually contaminated.
• Obtained directed verdict in a libel suit against a news columnist who reported about a local service firm that charged excessive fees. Successfully defended appeal.

Legal Affiliations:

• Litigation Counsel of America, fellow 
• Defense Research Institute
• American Inns of Court, MSU College of Law, Special Master
  • Past President, 2017-2019
• State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section
  • Council member, 2000-2006
  • Secretary-treasurer, 2006-2007
  • Chair elect, 2007-2008
  • Chair, 2008-2009
• Michigan State Bar Foundation fellow
• Ingham County Bar Association
  • Past Board President
  • Past Board Member
  • Past Chairman, Environmental Law Section
• Ingham County Bar Foundation
  • Past Board Member

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Water Environment Federation
• Michigan Oil and Gas Association, Environmental Affairs Committee, Past Member

Community Involvement:

• Boy Scouts of America, Troop 125, Okemos, Past Scoutmaster, 2003-2008
• DePauw University Alumni Board, Member of Admissions Committee, 2012-2018