Charles (Chuck) Marion is an experienced litigator who has tried several cases to verdict, both jury and non-jury, in federal and state courts located throughout the country, and also handled several domestic and international arbitrations. Chuck primarily focuses his practice in the areas of complex business litigation; franchise litigation and counseling; advising and defending businesses whose physical locations, websites, or mobile apps have been accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and similar state and local statutes; defamation; and intellectual property litigation (including patent and trademark infringement cases, claims for unfair competition and breach of non-compete and/or non-solicitation agreements, and trade secret disputes). Chuck regularly writes and lectures on these subjects.
In the franchise area, Chuck has, for many years, represented franchisors in several different industries (including the quick service restaurant, hospitality, and automotive parts and service industries) in a wide variety of legal matters, including litigating, arbitrating, and resolving disputes with their franchisees, enforcing trademarks and other intellectual property assets and rights, and counseling on ADA issues relating to their physical locations and online/digital activities (websites, mobile applications, ordering kiosks, etc.). Chuck is co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Franchise Law Committee and is an active participant of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, including speaking at its annual conference and contributing articles to its publications (including The Franchise Lawyer).
In his complex business and intellectual property litigation practice, Chuck represents corporations, other business entities, and individuals in a variety of industries, and involving a wide range of agreements, technologies, devices, products (both consumer and industrial), and services.
While Chuck enjoys trying cases and is proud of the results he has achieved in doing so for his clients, he understands the risk, uncertainty, disruption, and expense associated with litigation, and regularly counsels clients on steps they can take to reduce the risk of litigation or, if a lawsuit has been commenced, methods they can utilize and strategies they can implement to resolve the lawsuit at an earlier stage and on the best possible terms. Chuck prides himself on being a creative and effective problem solver for, a trusted advisor to, and a partner of his clients. He takes the time to fully understand the client’s business, industry, and objectives, and is always on the lookout for ways to minimize his client’s risks and exposure, protect their interests, and to otherwise add value.
Outside the Firm
Chuck enjoys performing, composing, and listening to music (he has played piano professionally for many years and currently plays keyboards in the classic/alternative rock band “Lincoln Drive”); playing tennis; doing yoga and various other types of exercise; reading history, fiction, and other works; and traveling to interesting places.