Charles N. Insler is an accomplished writer who helps spearhead the firm’s appellate practice. He has briefed more than 15 appeals over the last five years, culminating in recent victories before the Illinois Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Mr. Insler’s appellate practice covers a variety of procedural and substantive legal issues and has reached all five Appellate Districts in Illinois, all three Appellate Districts in Missouri, as well as the Illinois Supreme Court, the Missouri Supreme Court, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits. He is frequently asked to handle appeals for cases he did not handle at the trial level.
Mr. Insler’s practice also includes a concentration on complex commercial litigation, which can involve cases touching on antitrust and unfair competition matters, business torts, class actions, intellectual property disputes, securities law, and cybersecurity. Mr. Insler also has experience representing clients in insurance matters and has defended employers against discrimination claims and other employment-related matters.
Before joining HeplerBroom, Mr. Insler worked for a boutique firm in Baltimore, litigating class action securities fraud and fiduciary duty cases in state and federal courts around the country. Before that, he served as the law clerk to a Federal Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Mr. Insler frequently contributes to legal and non-legal publications, and his writing has appeared in publications as diverse as the Illinois Bar Journal, Communications Lawyer, Litigation, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and the Cincinnati Enquirer. He also maintains a cooking blog (http://www.judicialpeach.com) with over 200 original recipes.
Law School Honors/Involvement
Professional Associations
Won affirmance for the City of Waukegan, after winning summary judgment for City of Waukegan on plaintiff’s class-of-one Equal Protection claim, alleging the City discriminated against plaintiff during the process for selecting its casino operator. Waukegan Potawatomi Casino v. City of Waukegan,128 F.4th 871 (7th Cir. 2025).
Won reversal of the Court of Appeal’s decision and reinstatement of the Circuit Court’s dismissal for the City of Waukegan, in an appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court, relating to the City’s defense of its process for selecting its casino developer. Waukegan Potawatomi Casino v. Illinois Gaming Board, 2025 IL 130036.
Won summary judgment for accounting firm in lawsuit accusing the firm of negligent misrepresentations in its audit work after audit company’s client defaulted on a $3.5 million loan. Central Bank of St. Louis v. Stone Carlie & Company, LLC, No. 18SL-CC03021 (Mo. Cir. Ct.).
Won affirmance of motion to dismiss for City of Waukegan relating to Waukegan Gaming’s allegation that it had an exclusive agreement with the City of Waukegan to be the City’s casino operator. Waukegan Gaming, LLC v. City of Waukegan, 2023 IL App (2d) 220426
Won affirmance for restaurant franchisor in an appeal of a favorable summary judgment ruling stemming from the death of a child in a franchise restaurant in Amman, Jordan. Hersh v. CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., 2023 WL 2620251 (8th Cir. 2023) (Hersh II).
Successfully defended the City of Waukegan in an interlocutory appeal in which the Potawatomi Casino sought an injunction to halt the Illinois Gaming Board from making a preliminary determination on the suitability of the City’s casino operator. Waukegan Potawatomi Casino v. City of Waukegan, No. 1-21-1561 (1st Dist.).
Defended car dealership in class action against allegations its notice letters did not comply with the Uniform Commercial Code. CSAC, Inc. v. Crawford, 635 S.W.3d 148 (Mo. App. Ct. 2021) (Per Curiam).
Defended franchisee trampoline park in a class action alleging violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Stauffer v. Innovative Heights Fairview Heights, LLC, 480 F. Supp. 3d 888 (S.D. Ill. 2020).
Defended franchisee trampoline park in a class action alleging violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Stauffer v. Innovative Heights Fairview Heights, LLC, 480 F. Supp. 3d 888 (S.D. Ill. 2020).
Conducted forensic analysis of client’s devices and counseled client on potential causes of action related to unauthorized intrusion of network.
Won appeal of attorney’s fee award in Prevailing Wage Act and Wage Payment and Collection Act, along with award of appellate fees, in Third District Court of Appeals. Jones v. Brandt Constr. Co., 2022 IL App (3d) 210389-U.
Defended restaurant against allegations it did not pay certain employees a fair wage or overtime wages in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tiburcio v. Chelbrans’ Inc., No. 3:22-CV-1088 (S.D. Ill.).
Representing a series of companies in a challenge to the constitutionality of the Missouri Commercial Receivership Act. Patriots Bank v. Black River Motel, LLC, No. SC99567 (Mo.).
Representing car dealership against U.S. Bank to determine the rightful owner of interpled funds arising from an earlier garnishment proceeding. Earth Motorcars, LLC v. U.S. Bank National Association, No. SD37959 (Mo. App. Ct.).
Secured affirmance of jury’s defense verdict for hog farming operator and won cross-appeal to obtain $2.5 million fee award for the hog farming operator in a matter of first impression. Marsh v. Sandstone N., LLC, 2020 IL App (4th) 190314.
Defeated qualified immunity challenge while representing plaintiff, pro bono, in excessive force claim against St. Louis City police officer. Graham v. St. Louis Metro. Police Dep’t, 933 F.3d 1007 (8th Cir. 2019).
Defended insurance company against allegations it underpaid “actual cash value” of vehicle claims. Schoenholtz v. Twin City Fire Insurance Co., No. 4:22-CV-778 (E.D. Mo.).
Represented insured in insurance coverage case involving question of whether policy provided coverage under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Everest National Insurance Co. v. Innovative Heights Fairview Heights, LLC, No. 3:19-CV-900 (S.D. Ill.).
Won summary judgment for accounting firm in lawsuit accusing the firm of negligent misrepresentations in its audit work after audit company’s client defaulted on a $3.5 million loan. Central Bank of St. Louis v. Stone Carlie & Company, LLC, No. 18SL-CC03021 (Mo. Cir. Ct.).
Defended attorney against allegations of legal malpractice in the drafting of corporate documents for a start-up company. Ray v. Crain, 2021-L-18 (Ill. Cir. Ct.).
Represented car dealership against U.S. Bank to determine rightful owner of interpled funds arising from an earlier garnishment proceeding. Earth Motorcars, LLC v. U.S. Bank National Ass’n, No. 1931-CC01247 (Mo. Cir. Ct. Feb. 2023).
Served as first chair in a jury trial, representing the plaintiff in a civil rights case alleging excessive force in the course of an arrest. Graham v. Klipsch, No. 4:15-CV-1324 AGF (E.D. Mo. Dec. 2021).
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