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

1/01/24	Firm lawyers named in 2024 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2024

1/01/23	Firm lawyers named in 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/23	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2023

1/01/22	Firm lawyers named in 2022 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/22	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2022

1/01/21	Firm lawyers named in 2021 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/21	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2021

1/01/20	Firm lawyers named in 2020 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/20	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2020

1/01/19	Firm lawyers named in 2019 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/19	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2019

1/01/18	Firm lawyers named in 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/18	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2018

1/01/17	Firm lawyers named in 2017 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/17	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2017

6/01/16	U.S. Fifth Circuit Affirms Judgment For Gold Weems Business Client
4/05/16	Charlie Weems Selected as 2016 Louisiana Legends Honoree
1/01/16	Firm lawyers named in 2016 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/16	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2016

4/15/15	Firm Wins Partnership/Fiduciary Duty Case in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
1/01/15	Firm lawyers named in 2015 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/15	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2015

11/25/14	Weems Recognized by Sigma Chi
1/01/14	Firm lawyers named in 2014 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/14	Best Lawyers in America 2014 Recognizes Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm

1/01/13	Firm lawyers named in 2013 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/13	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2013

12/27/11	Firm lawyers named in 2012 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
12/27/11	Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2012
12/27/11	Weems Named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers
12/27/11	Firm Obtains Supreme Court Reversal of Toxic Tort Class Action
1/10/11	Firm lawyers named in 2011 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/11	Firm Attorneys Named to the 2011 Best Lawyers in America

4/10/10	Weems Named Louisiana's Distinguished Attorney
2/15/10	Weems Elected President of Louisiana State Law Institute
1/15/10	Weems Elected Chair of The Board of Commissioners for England Authority
1/09/10	Firm lawyers named in 2010 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers

12/02/09	Firm Attorneys Named to the 2010 Best Lawyers in America
1/16/09	Weems Honored at LSUA Arbor Day
1/08/09	Firm lawyers named in 2009 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/09	Best Lawyers in America 2009 names Firm, lawyers

10/23/08	Weems honored in Town Talk ad for years of service

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