Experience
Charles joined the firm after graduating law school in 1989. He is a board certified civil trial attorney and handles a wide variety of civil litigation cases. His experience includes cases involving businesses disputes, trust and estate litigation, construction defect litigation, and litigation involving non-competition agreements and other restrictive covenants.
Distinctions & Memberships
- Admitted to The Florida Bar – 1989
- Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law (1996 – present)
- The Best Lawyers in America© since 2010, in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Litigation – Trusts and Estates “Lawyer of the Year”
- Florida Hospital North Pinellas – Helen Ellis Memorial Foundation (Director 2011 – present, currently Co-Chairman)
- UPARC (Director 1999 – present; past President 10/2004 – 10/2006)
- Tarpon Springs High School Advisory Counsel (2007 – present; chair 2008 – present)
- St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Inc. (Director 2009 – 2010)
- Barney Masterson Inn of Court Award 2022
- Super Lawyers
Education
- University of South Florida B.A., Accounting – 1986
- Stetson University J.D., cum laude – 1989
- ABA National Mock Trial Competition – 1st Place 1989
When He’s Not Working Hard for Clients
Charles stays active in sports and outdoor activities, as well as boating and traveling with his family.
- J. McHenry Nielsen, M.D., P.A. v. Stephen N. Schindler, M.D., P.A., 587 So.2d 498 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991)
- Nostimo, Inc. v. City of Clearwater, 594 So. 2d 779 (Fla. 2d DCA 1992)
- City of Largo v. LaGrande, 650 So.2d 178 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995)
- Dyer v. Pioneer Concepts, Inc., 667 So.2d 961 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)
- Picone v. Geras Real Estate, Inc. et al., 685 So.2d 913 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996)
- Anderson v. TBA Partnership, Ltd., 733 So.2d 1032 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998)
Articles
- 26 Johnson Pope Attorneys Named to 2025 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Florida’s 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 28 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 22 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Charles A. Samarkos Receives Barney Masterson Inn of Court Award
- “I want to start construction on my home. What do I do first?” – A Checklist of Items Any Homeowner Should Consider Before Starting Construction
- Referral Sources: Protect Them Like Customers
- Non-Compete Agreements? Are They Worth The Paper They Are Written On?
News
- 26 Johnson Pope Attorneys Named to 2025 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- 55 Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2025
- Florida’s 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 28 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- 48 Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2024
- Florida’s 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 22 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- 48 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023—Four recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Johnson Pope Attorneys
- Charles A. Samarkos Receives Barney Masterson Inn of Court Award
- 46 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America® 2022—Five Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- 47 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized By Best Lawyers® 2021 – Four Recognized As “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 23 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- 36 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In Best Lawyers In America® 2020 – Three Recognized As “Lawyer Of The Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 24 Attorneys From Johnson Pope
- 32 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America®” 2019 – Three Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Their Respective Practice Areas
- 30 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America®” 2018 and Two Partners as “Lawyer of the Year” in Their Areas of Practice
- Best Lawyers 2016
- ‘Florida Super Lawyers’ Recognizes 17 Attorneys from Johnson Pope
- 14 JP Lawyers Listed as “Best Lawyers 2014”
By JP Firm — June 2025
Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns LLP is proud to announce that 26 of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. This prestigious honor highlights attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional legal skill, peer recognition, and professional achievement across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers is a trusted […]
Practice Areas
