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Chas Hamilton

Of Counsel
About

Chas Hamilton is a business and commercial disputes attorney with extensive experience representing clients facing litigation, responding to government inquiries, and conducting internal investigations. For more than a decade, Chas has represented companies across a broad set of industries, including the technology, consumer goods, public utilities, professional services, healthcare, and sports and entertainment sectors. Chas' work includes advising corporate boards and executive leadership teams in response to sensitive legal, governance, and reputational issues.

Bar admissionsCaliforniaNew York
CourtsUnited States District Court for the Southern District of New YorkUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of New YorkUnited States District Court for the Central District of California

EXPERIENCE

Chas' noteworthy matters include:

  • Representation of a global telecommunications company involved in multi-party litigation related to the 2020 Silverado Wildfire.
  • Representation of a global consumer goods company in connection with a non-public inquiry from a federal agency related to the company’s statements regarding environmental sustainability.
  • Defending an international sports association in litigation initiated by plaintiffs alleging the league’s liability in connection with injuries suffered by non-professional players.
  • Leading an internal investigation for a national energy trading company following trader activity resulting in the loss of millions of dollars during a span of several weeks.
  • Serving as counsel for a national healthcare services company in connection with an internal investigation into its subsidiary’s expenditure of millions of dollars of PPE that the subsidiary never received.
  • Defending an energy company in connection with multiple public nuisance lawsuits filed by California municipalities related to the company’s purported role in the effects of climate change experienced by the municipalities.
  • Representation of a leading technology company in response to a federal government inquiry related to representations the company made to employment candidates regarding the forward-looking value of equity compensation.
  • Leading a civil rights assessment for a global technology company that included in-depth analysis of the company’s workforce, efforts to combat bias in the application of its algorithm, and community-focused initiatives, among other subject areas.
  • Representation of a global pharmaceutical company in connection with a civil investigative demand from the federal government in connection with the storage and treatment of the company’s frozen vaccines.
  • Serving as outside counsel to a special committee formed by the board of directors of a leading pediatric hospital in connection with an extensive seven-month assessment of the hospital’s policies, procedures and practices, prompted by allegations of systemic racism experienced by the hospital’s workforce members and patients.
  • Representation of a national sports league in connection with an investigation into statements from current and former players of abuse, harassment and other misconduct by coaches and other leaders throughout the league.
  • Representation of a food manufacturer in litigation commenced by a former supplier alleging trade secret infringement.

Pro Bono

Chas’ noteworthy pro bono representations include:

  • Representation of residents of St. Louis, Missouri, in connection with a lawsuit against the St. Louis Police Department ("SLPD") in connection with a practice that allowed police officers to arrest individuals for questioning without a warrant or judicial oversight.
  • Representation of asylum seekers from Latin America and Africa fleeing government persecution.
  • Representation of tenants challenging unlawful evictions.
Education
  • J.D., Harvard Law School
  • B.A., Harvard College

Publications

  • Co-Author, "Don't get burned: How to lower litigation risk during fire season," Daily Journal, August 7, 2025

Prior Experience

Chas was previously an associate at two AmLaw 100 international law firms.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference
  • Director, Community Partners