Charles E. Peeler

Charlie draws upon his government experience to assist clients in navigating the current regulatory and enforcement climate to prevent, resolve and, if necessary, litigate critical and sensitive issues. Recognized by Chambers USA as “pragmatic, insightful, and effective,” Charlie represents clients in complex internal investigations, civil and criminal government enforcement actions, complex commercial disputes, and litigation arising from cyberattacks and data breaches. Charlie also works proactively with clients to develop robust ethics and compliance programs that withstand regulatory scrutiny.

As the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia and in private practice, Charlie has dedicated his career to zealously representing client interests in complex matters. In this role, Charlie gained invaluable experience leading civil and criminal government enforcement actions against corporations and their employees, officers, and directors. He leverages this unique insight to conduct effective internal investigations and to represent clients facing government enforcement actions.

A skilled trial attorney, Charlie has represented clients in high-stakes matters throughout his career. He has obtained multimillion-dollar jury verdicts on behalf of plaintiffs as well as defense verdicts on behalf of defendants. While a U.S. attorney, Charlie also focused on cybercrime, cyber-incident response, and data breaches by leading investigations and serving on the Department of Justice Subcommittee on Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Issues. Charlie has successfully tried cases related to federal and state criminal matters, business disputes, intellectual property matters, civil rights matters, labor and employment, and complex torts in numerous state, federal, and appellate courts.

Active in the legal community, Charlie has served on the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission under two Georgia governors, the Georgia Attorney General’s Anti-Gang Task Force, the Local Rules Advisory Committee for the Middle District of Georgia, and the Eleventh Circuit Conference Planning Committee. He has been recognized by Chambers USA for his white collar work, is frequently designated a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine, and was named as one of the “Most Influential Georgians” by James Magazine.

Charlie is the managing partner of the firm’s Atlanta office.

Litigation

• Trial counsel obtaining a $7 million verdict on behalf of a plaintiff in a personal injury jury trial involving a physician’s injury.
• Trial and appellate counsel obtaining a $2.5 million verdict and Eleventh Circuit affirmance on behalf of a plaintiff in a breach of contract and trademark infringement jury trial involving a dietary supplement marketing agreement.
• Trial counsel obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of a defendant in a breach of contract jury trial involving the purchase, sale, and delivery of agricultural products.
• Trial and appellate counsel obtaining the reversal of a permanent injunction in the Supreme Court of Georgia in a matter involving Georgia’s trademark dilution statute, O.C.G.A. 10-1-451.
• Arbitration counsel obtaining a $1.4 million award on behalf of a plaintiff in a breach of contract action involving a physician’s employment contract with a hospital.
• Trial counsel obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of a defendant in an employment discrimination jury trial involving a private security business.
• Arbitration counsel obtaining a damages and attorney’s fees award on behalf of a defendant/counterclaimant in a matter involving noncompetition agreements in the pacemaker industry.
• Trial counsel obtaining a $1.5 million verdict on behalf of a plaintiff in a wrongful death jury trial involving an auto and pedestrian accident.
• Trial counsel obtaining a $45,000 verdict plus attorney’s fees on behalf of an inmate plaintiff in a §1983 jury trial against prison officials for assaulting the plaintiff.

Investigations

• Investigating counsel in an internal investigation into a state’s process for issuing air permits to manufacturing facilities.
• Investigating counsel in an internal investigation into a Fortune 100 company’s process for reporting wastewater treatment data to a government agency.
• Investigating counsel in an internal investigation into theft of corporate property by corporate managers.
• Investigating counsel in an internal investigation into theft of over $1 million of company property.
• Counsel for a broker-dealer in an investigation by a state securities commission.
• Counsel for grand jury witnesses in state investigation into possible election interference.
• Counsel for development company in a federal investigation into a claim for conservation easement tax credits.
• Counsel for a laboratory in state attorney general investigation into possible health care fraud.
• Counsel for environmental company in a federal investigation regarding treatment of hazardous materials.

• Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation (2024-2026), Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2025-2026), Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (2025-2026)
• Chambers USA: Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Georgia (2022-2025)
• Lawdragon: 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management (2025)
• Southeastern Legal Awards – Distinguished Leader (2024)
• “Most Influential Politically Connected Attorneys in Georgia,” James Magazine (2022)
• “Most Influential Georgians,” James Magazine (2019-2020)
• “Super Lawyer,” Georgia Super Lawyers Magazine (2014-2017)
• “Georgia Legal Elite,” Georgia Trend Magazine (2015)