Charles J. Roberts* is a native Floridian. He was raised primarily in Brevard County and educated in the public schools. He graduated Melbourne High School, attended Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College), University of Florida and Stetson University College of Law.
Charles Roberts knew from the moment he contemplated receiving a legal education he wanted to be a trial attorney. The study of effective trial techniques is his passion. Virtually all his efforts both within and without the classrooms at Stetson College of Law were geared to the study of effective trial techniques.
At Stetson, he became President of the Trial Advocacy Society under the tutelage of Professor Mickey Smiley, Esq. He competed for and won a place on the Stetson Mock Trial Team, coached by Professor William Eleazer, Esq. (The Colonel!) who was ably assisted by Jan Eleazer.
Upon completion of his legal education, he immediately began trying cases, primarily jury trials. Within a very few years of graduation he limited his practice to personal injury, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and social security disability cases.
This arena gave him many opportunities to represent clients in litigation including both bench trials to a judge, and jury trials. Charlie knows the pros and cons of litigation, the costs in time and money and the risks and rewards of a trial versus a settlement.
During his 26 years as a successful trial attorney, Charlie also continued his pursuit of knowledge of effective trial presentations. All his continuing legal education courses other than the required courses in ethics were chosen for closer study of jury trial techniques. He became a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (now the Florida Justice Association) and served on the Board of Directors. Charlie gained a reputation as a winning trial attorney. As part of his passion for educating himself in all things trial and sharing that knowledge with others, he started a mock trial program for Brevard County students which continues to this day. He remains active in presiding as a judge for those competitions.
Also, during his career as a successful trial attorney, Charlie served the people of his community as an elected official at both the local government and state levels. Charlie was elected and served as a Brevard County Commissioner. He was elected and served three terms as a member of the Florida House of Representatives with numerous important committee assignments.
Steel sharpens steel and this public service sharpened and honed Charlie in several ways.
He learned leadership skills. He learned to listen carefully and to respond effectively. He became even better in debate. He was exposed to many new and varied issues from land use and local government issues, to preservation of our civil justice system and the variety of state government issues. These life experiences give Charlie insight into the many types of matters that confront a judge and a mediator.
After over a quarter of a century as a trial attorney and a decade in elected service, Charlie Roberts was elected and reelected without opposition as a Circuit Judge.
Charlie Roberts presided for twelve years primarily over civil, family and criminal cases. He also served as needed in the probate and juvenile divisions. He sat in an appellate capacity over county cases and as an associate judge in the Fifth District Court of Appeals.
As a trial judge, Charlie presided to verdict and judicial ruling over hundreds of jury and non-jury trials. He has the experience of jury selection and post-verdict discussions with several thousand prospective jurors and jurors.
- Charlie Roberts knows the litigation process from the perspective of a trial attorney and a trial judge.
- Charlie Roberts knows the litigation process from initial complaint or petition to verdict and ruling, from discovery and motions to decision.
- Charlie Roberts knows trial and Charlie Roberts knows how to make mediation work for you.
- Charlie Roberts’ passion was trial work. Now his passion is alternative dispute resolution and how to avoid trial.
- Charlie Roberts’ passion is effective mediation.
* We include the middle initial of Charlie’s name to avoid confusion with the Honorable Charles E. Roberts currently presiding in the 12th Circuit, Sarasota County, Florida.