Gold Weems - Charles S. Weems, III

Charles S. Weems, III President/Director

(318) 445-6471

(866) 302-6823 Toll Free

(318) 445-6476

Charles S. Weems, III ("Charlie") is the senior member of Gold Weems and serves as its President. His practice is focused on business and estate matters – including in each area, planning, problem-solving, and complex litigation. In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Charlie has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as the Lawyer of Year in the field of Corporate Law. His broad experience as a trial lawyer and business counselor is reflected by the wide spectrum of significant commercial matters and litigation in which he has been involved; and the quality of that work is shown by the awards and recognitions received.

Representative Matters

Acts as counsel to individuals and families, businesses and business owners, boards and non-profit institutions. Works with companies and their owners to examine and plan organizational, tax and business matters, and with individuals and families to address tax, estate planning and succession concerns. This work frequently involves executors, trustees, and beneficiaries. Also works with public and private tax-exempt entities on organizational matters and on issues of exempt status and compliance. Has been involved in litigation arising in all of these areas.
Led the successful defense of individual owners and business in a complex commercial dispute in which a disappointed would be partner/member sued both individually and derivatively seeking recognition of an ownership interest in a $30 million business acquisition.
Successfully represented minor trust beneficiaries against trustees and insurance companies in action to recover damages for breach of fiduciary duties arising from handling of trust assets.
Represented to successful resolution large health care system in claims against state for significant damages resulting from the state’s failure to honor contractual obligations in preferred provider contracts covering state employees.
Successfully represented interstate communications companies and their owners in obtaining injunctive and declaratory relief and damages against former officer for breaches of fiduciary duty, while defeating claims of that officer for ownership and damages.
Successfully defended estate representative and legatees in attack on the capacity of deceased testator by unfavored family members.
Successfully resolved by favorable settlement gift tax litigation with IRS over proper valuation of gifts of interests in substantial family LLC.
Successfully recovered by favorable settlement for closely held business owners substantial damages resulting from breach by acquiring public companies of securities laws (with special securities counsel) and fiduciary obligations under state law.
Successfully negotiated and protected favorable status resolution for substantial exempt organization against IRS audit and examination challenging both tax-exempt and public charity status.
Successfully defended law firm partner and partnership against claims of former associate for partner status and participation in partnership profits.
Successfully planned, negotiated and closed many substantial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, involving both closely held and public companies in the areas of health care, commercial real estate, communications, retailing, timber and natural resources, and manufacturing.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Recognitions

Professional and Civic Activities

Professional Activities

Louisiana State Bar Association
- President, 1996 - 1997
- President-Elect, 1995 - 1996
- Board of Governors, 1990 - 1994, 1995 - 1998
- Chairman, Specialization Board (Taxation)
- Chairman, Trust Estates, Probate and Immovable Property Law
- Lecturer: LSU Law Center; Tulane University Law School; LSBA
  - Commercial Litigation, Expropriation, Taxation, Evidence; Director and Officer Liability; Estate Planning
Master and Master of the Bench: Crossroads-American Inns of Court
National Conference Bar Presidents; Southern Conference Bar Presidents

Public/Civic/Professional Activities (now or formerly):

Louisiana State University System, Board of Supervisors, 1991 - 2008
- Chairman, 1998-2000
- Chair: Executive, Athletics, Budget and Finance, Flagship, Property and Facilities, Research and Economic Development, and Audit Committees
SEC Conference of Chairs, Chair, 1999, 2000
Louisiana State Law Institute, Council, 1985 - date;
- Chair Emeritus 2013; Chair, 2012; President, 2010, 2011 ; Vice-President, 2002 - 2009; Executive Committee 2002 - date
England Economic & Industrial Development District (England [AEX airport] Authority) 2007 –Chair 2010; Vice-Chair, 2009 ; Chair, Audit, Legal Committees
Louisiana State Commission on Corporations 1988 - 1990

Civic/Charitable Activities (now or formerly):

President, Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, 1998, 1999
Board of Directors, Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, (VP Economic Development 1994 – 96; President-elect 1997)
Founder, Chair, Central Louisiana Diversity Alliance
President, Board of Trustees, LSUA Foundation
Board of Trustees, LSU Law Center
Board of Directors, Alexandria Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow)
Board of Trustees, First United Methodist Church
Board of Directors, Kent Plantation House, Inc.
Board of Directors, Rapides United Way
Board of Directors, Central Louisiana Community Theater
Board of Directors, Louisiana Appleseed
Board of Directors, Louisiana Bar Foundation
Board of Directors, officer, Tiger Athletic Foundation (Executive Committee)
Regional Representative (Louisiana), United States Golf Association

News

Areas of Practice

Education

Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D., 1969
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- Order of the Coif
- Editor-in-Chief, Louisiana Law Review
Louisiana State University, B.S. in Accounting, 1965
- Sigma Chi
- Phi Eta Sigma
- Phi Kappa Phi

Bar and Court Admissions

Supreme Court of Louisiana
United States District Courts
- Eastern District of Louisiana
- Middle District of Louisiana
- Western District of Louisiana
United States Court of Appeals
- Fifth Circuit
- Federal Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States

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