Chuck is an attorney and counselor in northern Michigan practicing municipal and administrative law; mediation and alternative dispute resolution; bankruptcy and debt workouts; and business transactional work with an emphasis on real estate applications. He is highly regarded by clients and business leaders in Traverse City for his ability to find resolutions to contentious or difficult problems. As a "conflict coach," Chuck approaches each issue with an open mind, offers strategic analysis, and most importantly, works hard to close the deal.

Chuck represents institutional clients including large, highly organized nonprofits, municipalities, and a number of businesses. For these clients he serves as outside general counsel, with Smith Haughey attorneys handling an array of matters within each lawyer's expertise, including transactional work, general business advice, risk management, and litigation defense.

Chuck also assists municipalities and nonprofits with the preparation and understanding of administrative policies, and advises how to conduct public meetings in confrontational settings. With significant experience in board governance, the Open Meetings Act, and the Freedom of Information Act, Chuck has developed creative strategies to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality for handling business in a public setting. He also has developed specific expertise in district library law and airport law. 

Chuck also helps business clients with issues when practical solutions do not seem available. Loan workout and forbearance negotiations with lenders are examples of this practice area, but he has also been retained in a number of settings to assist business partners in resolving their differences so that the financial interests of the business can survive. In addition, he has experience with real property law and construction matters due to his long standing representation of contractors in northern Michigan. Through proactive communications, Chuck regularly advises his clients on the impact of legal trends and compliance matters.

Some of his clients include Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the National Cherry Festival, Northwestern Michigan College, Northwestern Regional Airport Commission, Traverse Area District Library, Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority, and Peaine Township.

Chuck is very active in his industry and community, having held many elected offices and board of director positions for legal and community organizations. In 2010, he served as the Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan. 

Noteworthy

• AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell  
• Listed in Best Lawyers (2012) -- Government Relations Practice

Education

• Albion College (B.A., 1973)
• University of Detroit (J.D., cum laude, 1980). Order of Barristers; National Moot Court Team.

Admitted to Practice

• State Bar of Michigan, 1980
• The Florida Bar, 1982

Presentations

• Presenter and moderator at the Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Institute sponsored jointly by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan (2008, 2010, and 2012).
• "Alternatives to Litigation" presented October 28, 2010 at Legal Seminar for Real Estate, Development, and Construction Professionals.
• "Negotiating: It Really is a Win/Win" presented June 7, 2011 for a local presentation titled "Legal Know-how for Business Owners."
• "Managing Liability Exposure and the State of the Law" presented to the Michigan County Road Commission Self Insurance Pool, July 20, 2011.
• Moderated webinars presented by Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge for Michigan small businesses and banks, focusing on refinancing alternatives and loan workouts, October/November/December 2011.

Client Successes for Charles B. Judson

• 4/1/2010
  Chuck Judson and Jon Siebers assisted the Grand Traverse Emergency Services Authority in coordinating the conditions to bid for a new fire station, which will be constructed this year thanks to a $2.8 million federal stimulus grant recently awarded under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Authority. Chuck and Jon assisted in drafting documents that will meet the stringent federal requirements for issuance of the grant, and will also coordinate the drafting of all construction documents.
• 10/1/2008
  Chuck Judson and Scott Harvey represented the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in the reorganization of its corporate subsidiaries, which included the dissolution of its Industrial Fund and the expansion of development capabilities through its Foundation. As a part of this process, we worked with the Rehmann Group to analyze the limitations of non-profit status and create a framework to allow the Chamber's Economic Development Corporation and Foundation to work more closely with the Chamber Board to implement and fund development initiatives in the Chamber's five county region. This innovative process may serve as a development model for other communities.
• 2/1/2006
  Rachel Roe and Chuck Judson were retained by a northern Michigan governmental agency to conduct a fraud investigation involving government officials. The investigation resulted in criminal charges against two current and one former official. Rachel and Chuck are now assisting our client in pursuing financial recovery of losses resulting from misappropriations of public funds.

External Publications

• "Alternative Dispute Resolution," Michigan Bar Journal, June 2010.

Smith Haughey Publications

News for Charles B. Judson

11/22/2011
Attorney Charles B. Judson Honored With Madeleine Thomas Award

9/14/2011
Smith Haughey and its Attorneys Voted "Best" By Their Peers

2/2/2009
Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Attorneys are Tops in Northern Michigan

11/24/2008
Judson Elected Chair-Elect of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan

10/16/2007
Judson Appointed to the State's Dispute Resolution Court Rule Committee

9/15/2005
Attorney Elected to ADR Executive Council

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association (Member, Sections on Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business Law)
• State Bar of Michigan (Past Chair, Section on Alternative Dispute Resolution; Member, Sections on ADR, Real Property)
• The Florida Bar
• Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association (Past President: 1988-1989)
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
• Certified Mediator, United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
• Facilitative Mediator, 13th Circuit Court (General litigation and domestic relations)

Community Affiliations

• Volunteer Attorney, Third Level Crisis Intervention Center
• Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (Past Chair: 1989-1991)
• Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Board of Directors (Chair Emeritus)
• Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board of Directors (1999-2010)
• Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1996- 2000); Past Chair
• Active member of Central United Methodist Church