Charles W. Wirken

Charles (Chas) Wirken’s extensive appellate experience, coupled with his expertise, has earned the respect of his peers and appellate judges, as indicated by his election as a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Southwest Super Lawyers in the Appellate Law Category, and recognition in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Litigation: Appellate in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Chas was named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona in 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2024 by AZ Business Magazine and was a Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

Having briefed and argued over 200 appeals involving a broad range of cases and issues in state and federal appellate courts, Chas has become a valuable resource to trial lawyers inside and outside Gust Rosenfeld. He has served as a judge pro tem of the Arizona Court of Appeals and co-founded the State Bar’s Appellate Practice Section, which shares his knowledge with other lawyers as a faculty member of the Institute.

In 2009, Chas successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court to hear United Student Aid Funds, Inc. vs. Espinosa. He was the primary draftsman of the briefs, leading to a favorable decision that settled the procedural requirements for the discharge of student loan debt in bankruptcy cases. In 2017, he briefed and argued Howell v. Howell at the high court.

The other focus of Chas’s practice is resolving business disputes. He has tried a wide variety of commercial disputes with judges and juries in state and federal courts. His national reputation for litigating cases involving franchises, dealers, distributors, and licensors is reinforced by his inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America Franchising Law category. Since 1980, Chas has represented both franchisors and franchisees from various franchise systems in contract, business tort, intellectual property, and government regulation disputes typically encountered by such clients.

Chas brings to his advocacy the perspective of years of experience as a judge pro tem of the Maricopa County Superior Court and as a former arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. As President of the State Bar of Arizona, Chas re-established the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, where he annually serves as a faculty member.

In 2013, Chas was elected to membership in The American Law Institute, the leading independent organization in the United States that produces scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and otherwise improve the law. In recognition of his many contributions to the law and justice in Arizona, Chas was inducted into the Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

Chas is AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

Professional Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice; Franchise Law (2003-2026)

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business Litigation: Appellate (2021-2025)

• American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (Fellow)

• Litigation Counsel of America (Senior Fellow)

• Lawyer of the Year Phoenix, Franchise Law (2016, 2018, 2021 and 2024)

• Southwest Super Lawyers, Appellate (2007-2025)

• Phoenix Magazine (2023, 2025) Top Lawyers- Appellate Law

• State Bar of Arizona President’s Award (2019)

• Maricopa County Bar Association Member of the Year (2019)

• Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Business (2015, 2018, 2021)

• Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame (2015)

• American Law Institute, Elected Member

• Top Rated Lawyers in Commercial Litigation (2013)

• Top Attorneys in Arizona (2006)

• Community Legal Services pro bono award (1997)

• Lawyers Who Make a Difference, State Bar of Arizona (1995)

• AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Presentations & Publications

•“Oral Argument,” Arizona Appellate Handbook 2.0, Chap. Ten, State Bar of Arizona (2020, 2024 editions)
•“Giving Back: Senior Lawyers and Pro Bono,” Arizona Attorney (November 2019)
•“Honorable Advocacy: New Paradigm or Mere Wish?” Arizona Attorney (May 2005)
•“Creating Skilled Trial Advocates,” Arizona Attorney (May 2002)
•“Values Worth Protecting - Facing a New Millennium,” Arizona Attorney (October 2001)
•“Contract Disclaimer Does Not Bar FTC Monetary Award,” The Franchise Lawyer (Fall 1999)

Community Involvement

•Mesa Judicial Advisory Board (2018-2021)
•Mesa Rotary Club (President; recipient 2018 Service Above Self Award)
•Mesa United Way (campaign co-chair 2010-2011)
•Maricopa County Citizen’s Jail Oversight Committee (1999-2007)
•Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers (1995-1996)
•Arizona Town Hall (delegate)