Charles L. Simmons, Jr.

Partner; Co-Chair of Tort & Insurance Litigation Section
Charles L. Simmons, Jr.
Baltimore T: 410.347.9491 F: 410.234.2345
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Biography
A seasoned litigator with significant trial experience, Mr. Simmons has led litigation teams in complex commercial, insurance defense and coverage, and tort cases in every state and federal court in Maryland and the District of Columbia.  His experience extends across business, commercial, and insurance defense litigation, as well as insurance coverage, intellectual property, and maritime and construction law.  

Mr. Simmons serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, where he teaches maritime law. He is also a past Skipper of the Mid-Atlantic Mariner’s Club, an organization dedicated to the marine insurance industry.
 

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA, Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (outside New York), Nationwide (2025-Present) 
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Admiralty and Maritime Law (2018–Present), Commercial Litigation (2023-Present), Insurance Law (2024-Present), Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2025-Present)
  • Maryland Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2015–2027)
  • AV Preeminent®: Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Proctor Member: Maritime Law Association
  • Member: Mid-Atlantic Mariner’s Club
  • Member: American Bar Association
  • Member: Legislative Leader's Circle, Maryland Association for Justice
  • Member: Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member: Wednesday Law Club and Rule Day Club

Insights

Co-Presenter, "COVID-Related Lawsuits: Identifying Risks, Understanding Reopening and Preparing for Litigation," LeadingAge Maryland & DC Annual Conference, Virtual (October 2020)

Co-Presenter, "What Claims Will Communities Likely See? What Will be the Possible Increased Obligations as Communities Begin To Reopen?," Webinar, LeadingAge Virginia (July 21, 2020)

April 3, 2020 - Articles

Client Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Holds Duty of Safe-Berth is a Warranty, Regardless of Diligence or Fault

In November 2004, the 748-foot, oil tanker ATHOS I embarked on a 1,900 mile voyage from Puerto Miranda, Venezuela to Paulsboro, New Jersey laden with heavy crude oil.  In the final 900 feet of that voyage, as she made her approach to the berth in Paulsboro on the Delaware River, the flukes of an abandoned ship anchor punctured the single-hull of ATHOS I.  Approximately 264,000 gallons of cargo spilled into the river. 
August 20, 2026 - Honors & Awards

87 Whiteford Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2027

87 lawyers from Whiteford have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027. The attorneys selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Washington, DC offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.
June 4, 2026 - Honors & Awards

Chambers Recognizes Whiteford in a Record 16 Practices

Whiteford is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2026 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 31 attorneys in 16 practice areas at the National and State level.
December 19, 2025 - Honors & Awards

33 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford is pleased to announce that 33 of our attorneys are listed among the 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Virginia. The individual attorneys listed and their areas of recognition are below (*newly recognized in 2026):
August 21, 2025 - News

83 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2026

83 lawyers from Whiteford have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Washington, DC offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.
June 5, 2025 - Honors & Awards

Chambers Recognizes Whiteford in a Record 15 Practices

Whiteford is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2025 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 31 attorneys in a record 15 practice areas at the National and State level.
December 15, 2023 - Honors & Awards

36 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that thirty-six of its attorneys are listed among the 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
August 17, 2023 - Honors & Awards

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.
August 18, 2022 - Honors & Awards

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.
December 17, 2021 - Honors & Awards

43 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that forty-three of its attorneys are listed among the 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
August 19, 2021 - Honors & Awards

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.
December 15, 2020 - Honors & Awards

48 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that forty-eight of its attorneys are listed among the 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia
August 20, 2020 - Honors & Awards

71 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

A record 71 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.