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About Charles E. Spevacek

Chuck has over 40 years of experience litigating complex commercial cases, with particular emphasis on the trial and appeal of insurance coverage disputes, including breach of contract, declaratory judgment, class action and bad faith actions. Chuck was named in 2025, 2021, and 2016 by The Best Lawyers in America as its Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action - Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” He was also named as its 2019 and 2014 Minneapolis Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He has twice been recognized by Minnesota Lawyer as an “Attorney of the Year,” in 2013 and in 2006. He was chosen as one of Minnesota’s 10 best appellate lawyers and has been recognized since 1994 as a Minnesota Super Lawyer, earning Top 100 distinction in fifteen of those years. Since 2013, he has been identified by Chambers USA as one of America’s Leading Litigation Lawyers for Business. In 2021, Chuck was named a “Minnesota ICON” by Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer.

Chuck is one of 788 attorneys and seventy Barristers from forty-four countries recognized in Lexology Index: Insurance. Additionally, Chuck has been included in its Thought Leaders: USA report for his expertise in advising on significant matters in insurance and reinsurance. Nominees are selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide. He is a fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel.

Chuck has served as a national coordinating coverage counsel for several of his clients, including on matters involving environmental losses, cyber-liability, TPCA claims and, most recently, COVID-19 claims. He has shared his expertise on insurance issues in testimony before the Minnesota Legislature. Chuck serves on the Board of Directors of the Ridgeview Hospital Foundation and has previously served on the Board of Directors of The Purdue Alumni Association and Center of the American Experiment.

Representative clients include Argo Group US, BNSF Railway Company, Brown & Brown, Inc., Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London, Chubb Limited, Curi Insurance, Everest Global Services, Inc., Federated Mutual Group, The Great American Insurance Group, The Guilford Specialty Group, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Intact Insurance Specialist Solutions, James River Group, Sompo Holdings, Riverstone Claims Management Services, Inc., RLI Insurance Company, and The Travelers Companies, Inc.

Chuck’s experience includes work on several major cases whose decisions have been cited as significant precedent in over 300 published opinions and scholarly papers.

Accolades

•fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel (Established in 2012, the ACCC is composed of preeminent coverage counsel in the United States and Canada, representing the interests of both insurers and policyholders. Membership is limited, and is by invitation only)
•Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business: Litigation & Appellate, Commercial Litigation, 2013-2025
•Emeritus fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (A trial lawyer honorary society, with membership limited to one-half of one percent of American lawyers, and by invitation only)
•Legal 500 Elite - Commercial Disputes, 2025
•fellow, American Bar Foundation (Membership is limited to one percent of the lawyers admitted to practice in each jurisdiction of the United States, by invitation only)
•Named by America’s Top 100 Attorneys a Lifetime Achievement Member for his legal achievements, professional experience and community involvement. (Selection as a lifetime achievement member is based on a broad array of criteria, including professional experience, lifetime achievements, significant case results, peer reputation, and community impact. The result is a careful screening process through third-party research and statistical analysis in which less than one-half percent (.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor.)
•Named a “Minnesota ICON,” Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer, 2021
•Minnesota Lawyer's Attorney of the Year (AOTY) in 2006 and 2013
•The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants 'Lawyer of the Year'
•The Best Lawyers in America 2021 Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants 'Lawyer of the Year'
•The Best Lawyers in America Minneapolis Insurance 'Law Lawyer of the Year' in 2014 and 2019
•The Best Lawyers in America 2016 Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants 'Lawyer of the Year'
•Recognized since 1994 in the Minnesota Super Lawyers list
•Selected for inclusion in 'Minnesota's Top Lawyers' list in the area of Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, Minnesota Monthly, 2023
•Awarded the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, AV Preeminent (AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies)
•Recognized by Lexology Index, '2025 Recommended in “Insurance” and Thought Leader in “Thought Leaders: USA Insurance & Reinsurance”

News

•Feb 4, 2026

Meagher + Geer Partner Charles E. Spevacek Appointed to Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

•Dec 31, 2025

Top Commercial General Liability Ruling From the First Half of 2025

• Nov 20, 2025

Meagher + Geer Partner Charles E. Spevacek Selected to Serve on the Nominations Committee for Appointment of Minnesota’s Next Federal Judge

• Oct 29, 2025

Charles Spevacek ranked in Legal 500 US Elite 2025 - Minneapolis

Events

•Jul
27 - 28,
2025

The 2025 Federated Challenge supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters Meagher + Geer is a proud sponsor
•Jul 29, 2024
The 2024 Federated Challenge supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters
•Jul
23 - 24,
2023

The 2023 Federated Challenge supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters Meagher + Geer is a proud sponsor of The Federated Challenge

Articles

•Jul 17, 2019
Breaking the Ice: Insurance focus leads to high-profile cases

Charles Spevacek featured in Minnesota Lawyer

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Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated

This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.

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Reviews for Charles E.

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Overall Rating

Services

Areas of Law

Insurance
Other 4
- Insurance - Bad Faith
- Insurance Coverage
- Insurance - Reinsurance
- Appellate

Practice Details

Video Calls

Offers Video Calls

Video Call Options
Zoom
Skype
Firm Information

Position
Partner

Firm Name
Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P.
Representative Cases & Transactions

Cases
Major Cases: Home Depot, Inc. v. Steadfast Ins. Co., et. al., 125 F.4th 769 (6th Cir. 2025) (rejecting the claim for 'silent cyber' coverage under a CGL insurance contract).
Prisk v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of Am., 81 F.4th 782 (8th Cir. 2023).
Great American Alliance Ins. Co. v. Windermere Baptist Conf. Center, Inc., 931 F.3d 771 (8th Cir. 2019).
Rarick v. Federated Serv. Ins. Co., 852 F.3d 223 (3d Cir. 2017) (in a case of first impression in the Third Circuit, adopted the 'independent claim test' for determining whether the federal courts have discretion to exercise jurisdiction over actions in diversity seeking both legal
declaratory relief).
L
O' Lakes v. Employers Ins. Co. of Wausau, 2013 WL 4559813 (8th Cir., Aug. 29, 2013) (no coverage for cleanup of contaminated refinery).
Engineering & Construction Innovations, Inc. v. L. H. Bolduc Co., Inc., 825 N.W.2d 695 (Minn. 2013) (additional insured coverage applies only to vicarious liability).
Cynosure, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 645 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2011) (no coverage for TCPA claims under MA law).
Cargill, Inc. v. ACE American Ins. Co., 784 N.W.2d 341 (Minn. 2010) (recognizing an equitable right to contribution for defense costs paid by a defending insurer against a non-defending insurer).
West Bend Mut. Ins. Co. v. Federated Mut. Ins. Co., 598 F.3d 918 (7th Cir. 2010) (holding insurer's absolute pollution exclusion valid under Indiana law).
Anderson v. Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association et. al., 534 N.W.2d 706 (Minn. 1995), reh'g denied (Sept. 20, 1995) (rejecting 'regulatory estoppel' as a means of invalidating the 'sudden
accidental' pollution exclusion).
Northern States Power Co. v. Fidelity
Casualty Co., 523 N.W.2d 657 (Minn. 1994) (announcing a pro-rata by time on the risk rule for allocation of indemnity amongst consecutively triggered insurance policies).
Federated Mutual Insurance Company v. Concrete Units Inc., 363 N.W.2d 751 (Minn. 1985) reh'g denied (March 29, 1985) (establishing that the term 'property damage' as defined in the st
ard general liability policy did not include 'diminution in value').
Additional Links

http://www.meagher.com/professionals/xprProfessionalDetailsMeagher.aspx?xpST=ProfessionalDetail&professional=80

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Experience

Bar Admission & Memberships

Admissions
1981, Minnesota
1981, United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
1981, United States District Court, District of Minnesota
1981, United States Federal Court of Claims
1989, United States Supreme Court
1993, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
1994, United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
1995, United States District Court, Eastern District of California
1996, United States District Court, District of Nebraska
1997, United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
1999, United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
2005, United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
2006, United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
2007, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2007, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana
2009, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit
2009, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana
2010, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
2011, United States Bankruptcy Court
2014, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
2015, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Illinois

Memberships

Professional Affiliations
•Charter Member, Insurance Litigation Institute of America
•Defense Research Institute
•Minnesota State Bar Association
•Hennepin County Bar Association
•Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
•Board of Directors and Past-Chair, Ridgeview Hospital Foundation
•Emeritus fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
•Past Board of Directors and Past-Chair, Center of the American Experiment
•Past Board of Directors, The Purdue Alumni Association

Bar Fellowship
in American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
December 13, 2012
Charles Spevacek is Fellow of American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
September 17, 2012
Spevacek Comments on NFL Brain Injury Litigation
August 23, 2012
Meagher & Geer Attorneys Selected by Peers for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2013
July 9, 2012
Meagher & Geer Congratulates 17 of its Lawyers Named to the 2012 Minnesota Super Lawyers List
October 17, 2011
Minnesota Appellate Court Affirms Ruling in Favor of Coach Williams
September 6, 2011
Meagher & Geer Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America 2012
July 12, 2011
Meagher & Geer Congratulates 18 of its Lawyers Named 2011 Super Lawyers (Minnesota)
July 12, 2011
Chuck Spevacek quoted in WSJ article
Battle Over ZIP Codes: Insurer Fights Retailers
June 1, 2011
Best Lawyers in America Published in June 2011 Minnesota Monthly
May 18, 2011
Insurer Does Not Have to Cover the Manufacturer in Class Action
February 15, 2011
Chuck Spevacek Comments on Metrodome Collapse
August 16, 2010
2011 Best Lawyers in America
July 16, 2010
Seventeen Meagher & Geer Attorneys Named 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers
July 1, 2010
Lawyer's Office is Baseball Shrine with a View of Target Field
May 21, 2010
Best Lawyers Featured in June 2010 Issue of Minnesota Monthly Magazine
September 3, 2009
Client Receives Favorable Summary Judgment Ruling
August 12, 2009
Spevacek, Broman and Ampulski Named to Litigation Counsel of America
August 12, 2009
Best Lawyers In America 2010 Includes 12 from Meagher & Geer
August 3, 2009
Meagher & Geer Super Lawyers 2009
July 1, 2009
Spevacek on Faculty for DRI Insurance Symposium
Privacy Claims: Is There A Right To Be Covered?
June 1, 2009
Minnesota Best Lawyers List 2009 Includes Nine from Meagher & Geer
April 17, 2009
Chuck Spevacek named Chairman of American Experiment
October 17, 2008
Best Lawyers in America List Includes Nine from Meagher & Geer
July 28, 2008
Meagher & Geer's 2008 Super Lawyers Announced
July 26, 2007
Meagher & Geer's Super Lawyers
May 25, 2007
Six Firm Partners Named Best Lawyers in America
March 1, 2007
Chuck Spevacek Named Attorney of the Year
Events
September 19, 2016
2016 Travelers Claim Golf Invitational benefiting the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
September 28, 2015
2015 Travelers Claim Golf Invitational benefiting the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
July 22, 2015
Federated Challenge for Kids of Minnesota
September 8, 2014
2014 Travelers Claim Golf Invitational benefiting the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
July 16, 2014
TeamWomenMN Summer Networking Event
April 30, 2014
HCBA Bar Memorial
A Special Session of District Court Remembering Attorneys Who Passed Away
April 2-4, 2014
DRI Insurance Coverage and Claims Institute
Sharing the Defense
September 25, 2013
Meagher & Geer Sponsors 20th Annual FETTI Conference
Union League Club
Chicago, IL
September 9, 2013
Meagher & Geer Sponsors 2013 Travelers Claim Golf Invitational
Golf Club of Avon
160 Country Club Road
Avon, CT 06001
August 2, 2013
Meagher & Geer Sponsors Golden Gopher Women's Basketball Hoops Scramble XI
Oak Marsh Golf Course
526 Inwood Ave. N.
Oakdale, MN 55128
July 1, 2013
Meagher & Geer and Chuck Spevacek Sponsor 2013 Federated Challenge
June 24, 2013
Join us for Ridgeview Foundation's 28th annual Golf & Taste Celebration
Island View Golf Club
7795 Laketown Pkwy
Waconia, MN 55387
April 10, 2013
Bias in the Legal Profession: What Bias?
A Program Presented by The Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies
Meagher & Geer
January 24, 2013
Charles Spevacek Speaks at Risk and Insurance Management Society Annual Seminar
December 15-16, 2011
Chuck Spevacek Speaks at DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium
Litigating the Confessed Judgment Coverage Case: There May Be a Diamond in That Lump of Coal
New York, New York
October 7, 2010
Meagher & Geer Lawyers to Speak at Insurance Law Institute
Minneapolis Marriott West
December 3-4, 2009
Chuck Spevacek Speaks at DRI Insurance Coverage & Practice Symposium
Privacy Claims: Is There a Right to Be Covered?
June 17, 2009
Chuck Spevacek Speaks at Minnesota Insurance Law Today CLE
May 12, 2009
Thompson and Spevacek Speak at MDLA Insurance Law Committee
Experience
No advertising injury coverage for copyright infringement claims under Hartford liability policy.
PetroNet LLC v. Hartford Casualty Insurance Co.,
Case No. 0:10-cv-03675
United States District Court, District of Minnesota
Insurance Coverage
Insurance , Insurance Coverage , Insurance - Bad Faith , Insurance - Reinsurance
Charles Spevacek , Michael McNamee
Minneapolis
July 21, 2011
A Minnesota federal judge granted summary judgment in favor of Hartford Casualty Insurance Company (represented by Meagher & Geer), against a technology company seeking defense and indemnification for copyright infringement claims under the Hartford liability policy's personal and advertising injury coverage.
Although the original and amended underlying complaints against the insured alleged that the insured infringed the plaintiff's computer code, U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank ruled there were no allegations that the insured infringed that code in its advertisement. Judge Frank also concluded that coverage did not apply because the plaintiff's injuries were caused only by the insured's alleged theft and sale of the copyrighted code, and not from the presence of isolated portions of the code present on the insured's website.
Judge Frank also ruled that even if the plaintiff's allegations had otherwise fallen within the Hartford policy's insuring grant, coverage would be excluded by the Hartford policy's breach of contract exclusion. Although the complaints did not state any claims labeled breach of contract, the court concluded that all of the plaintiff's claims were plainly based on the insured's officers' alleged breach of confidentiality provisions contained in a prior technology consulting contract between the officers and the plaintiff. He dismissed the coverage claims against Hartford with prejudice.
Better Business Bureau Reliability Reports constitute protected opinion, defeating defamation claims.
Joel Fink d/b/a Joel Fink Law Firm v. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota, Inc., et al. , No. 62-CV-09-9533 (Ramsey County Dist. Ct., Minn., Oct. 4, 2010)
Defamation
Charles Spevacek , M. Gregory Simpson
Minneapolis
October 04, 2010
The plaintiff, a lawyer, sued the Better Business Bureau's Minnesota chapter and its national council because it published a Reliability Report that gave him a rating of B-. Plaintiff sought damages for defamation per se as well as for lost business and emotional distress, and sought punitive damages alleging that the report was published with willful disregard to his rights. The court granted summary judgment for the BBB, holding that the report, generated in accordance with the BBB's nationally uniform rating system, was non-defamatory opinion. The court further held, for the first time in Minnesota, that the BBB is entitled to a qualified privilege defense to defamation claims arising from its Reliability Reports. Member:
Professional Affiliations
•fellow, American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel (Established in 2012, the ACCEC is composed of preeminent coverage and extracontractual counsel in the United States and Canada, representing the interests of both insurers and policyholders. Membership is limited, and is by invitation)
•Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business: Litigation & Appellate, 2013, 2014 and 2015
•Charter Member, Insurance Litigation Institute of America
•fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (A trial lawyer honorary society, with membership limited to one-half of one percent of American lawyers, by invitation)
•fellow, American Bar Foundation (Membership is limited to one percent of the lawyers admitted to practice in each jurisdiction of the United States, by invitation)
•Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
•Defense Research Institute
•Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
•Awarded the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, AV Preeminent (AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies)

Education & Certifications

Law School
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Class of 1980
J.D.

Other Education
Purdue University
Class of 1977
B.S.

Contact Charles E. Spevacek

Partner at Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P.

5.0

1 review

33 S. 6th Street, Suite 4300Minneapolis, MN 55402U.S.A.
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Fax: 612.877.3066

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Attorneys FAQs

What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?

Charles E. Spevacek was admitted in 1981 to the State of Minnesota.

Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?

Yes, Charles E. Spevacek has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

How many attorneys are in this law firm?

Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P. has 89 attorneys at this location.

What law school did this attorney attend?

Charles E. Spevacek attended Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

What year was this attorney's law firm established?

Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P. was established in 1929.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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Charles E. Spevacek