Charles F. Gfeller
Connecticut
Gfeller Laurie LLP
West Hartford Center
977 Farmington Avenue, Suite 200
West Hartford, CT 06107
Tel: 860-760-8410
Email:
cgfeller@gllawgroup.com
Web:
www.gllawgroup.com
Charlie Gfeller practices primarily in the areas of complex civil and commercial litigation, products liability, insurance coverage and risk management.
In the products liability arena, his experience includes matters involving the ski / snowboard industry, recreational products industry, consumer products generally, the automotive industry, manufacturing processes, as well as other areas.
Charlie represents and/or has represented the following types of clients on a local, regional, and national basis: ski areas and ski resorts; ice arenas; National Hockey League, National Football League, Major League Baseball, and Major League Soccer teams and facilities, stadiums, stadium operators, and stadium concessionaires; zip line operators; indoor rock climbing facilities; marine-based recreational operators; fitness centers (including franchisees); equine facilities and race tracks; auto race tracks; golf courses and golf clubs; schools, colleges and universities; fairs, festivals, and carnivals; other recreational facilities, and manufacturers of recreational products, providing both risk management and litigation services.
Charlie has tried numerous cases (jury and courtside) in both state and federal courts across the United States, and he has argued before the Connecticut Appellate Court. He regularly participates in alternative dispute resolution proceedings on a national basis. He advises companies regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission regarding product compliance, safety issues, advertising and collateral material reviews, and he has defended audits and agency investigations.
Charlie is regularly invited to publish and speak, both nationally and internationally, on various subjects involving sports and recreational liability, risk management and products liability.
Charlie was a Partner in an Am Law 50 law firm prior to co-founding Gfeller Laurie LLP.
- Charlie successfully defended a ski resort through trial in a catastrophic terrain park ski injury case that was, at the time, the first defense verdict in the United States for such a case. The case involved a 15-year old skier who was rendered a quadriplegic after an accident on a jump. Plaintiff presented a life-care plan of $36 million. Jury selection took one month, and trial took another month. In the end, the jury rendered a defense verdict in less than one hour.
- Charlie successfully negotiated the pre-suit settlement of a claim against a nationally known horse race track involving a Breeders Cup Champion horse who was injured off-track following training. In representing the race track, Charlie managed the demands of the horse’s owner against the risk management and public relations concerns of the race track to achieve a settlement that worked for all parties.
- Charlie successfully resolved a case involving an 11-year old girl who was horribly injured on a carnival ride in Omaha, Nebraska. The case garnered national and international media attention and involved issues relating to operational liability, as well as State and Federal regulatory issues.
Gfeller Laurie LLP is a litigation-focused law firm built on the principle of delivering high-caliber legal services through a more modern, efficient, and agile model. Rather than relying on the traditional hierarchical structure and billable-hour approach often found in large firms, the firm prioritizes results, efficiency, and exceptional client service. Its mission is straightforward: to provide “AmLaw 100” quality representation with a streamlined business model that better serves clients’ needs.
The firm’s attorneys are seasoned litigators, many of whom hail from leading international law firms. They represent clients in complex disputes across a wide range of industries and jurisdictions, both within the United States and abroad. Beyond litigation, the firm counsels clients on diverse business issues, offering practical guidance grounded in extensive experience and a deep understanding of commercial challenges.
Gfeller Laurie LLP reduces the inefficiencies associated with traditional large-firm practice by leveraging technology and maintaining a lean operational structure. These efficiencies translate into competitive billing rates and the flexibility to offer alternative fee arrangements. The firm emphasizes collaboration, strong working relationships, and a genuine enjoyment of its work—values that extend to both internal teamwork and client partnerships. Gfeller Laurie LLP is committed to building lasting relationships and achieving outstanding results for the clients it serves.
“Charlie Gfeller is widely admired for his deep expertise in complex civil litigation and products liability. Clients highlight Charlie’s exceptional industry knowledge across the recreational, automotive and consumer products sectors”