Mr. Ray counsels clients primarily in appellate litigation. He appears regularly in the Supreme and Appellate Courts of the State of Connecticut and has represented clients in appeals before the United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Ninth and Federal Circuits. Mr. Ray has argued or otherwise been involved in over eighty appellate cases during the course of his career. Those cases cover a broad spectrum of subject matter, ranging from commercial business litigation to matrimonial matters and criminal cases.
Mr. Ray's practice also extends to litigation in state and local tax appeals. In this arena, Mr. Ray has tried a number of matters de novo, including actions challenging decisions made by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, as well as actions challenging valuation decisions made by local assessors for purposes of real property taxes. Most recently, Mr. Ray was lead trial counsel in cases brought to determine the fair market value of a nuclear electrical generating facility and a big-box retail store. Both cases settled after trial.
Finally, Mr. Ray also represents clients in administrative appeals that involve decisions rendered by state and local administrative agencies. Mr. Ray has handled cases involving decisions rendered by the Connecticut Siting Council, the Connecticut State Traffic Commission, the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, as well as decisions rendered by various local planning, zoning, wetlands, conservation and sewer boards and commissions. Much of this work involves close coordination with our Real Estate practice group in land use matters, where the client's proposed project is being opposed at the local level and in court. During the course of his career, Mr. Ray has developed extensive experience in dealing with opposition claims brought under the intervention rules contained in the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act. Mr. Ray's experience includes litigation related to the development of an open air shopping center in addition to litigation related to other development projects.
Mr. Ray was designated as a Connecticut Super Lawyer in 2011.
Memberships & Affiliations
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association
Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules for the Connecticut Supreme and Appellate Courts
Representative Matters
Neuhaus v. DeCholnoky, 280 Conn. 190 (2006)
Eder Brothers, Inc. v. Wine Merchants of Conn., Inc., 275 Conn. 363 (2005)
Wasson v. Wasson, 91 Conn. App. 149 (2005)
United Food & Commercial Workers Union v. Crystal Mall Associates, LLP, 270 Conn. 261 (2004)
McNamara v. Tournament Players Club of Conn., Inc., 270 Conn. 179 (2004)
Bracey v. Board of Education, 368 F.3d 108 (2d Cir. 2004)
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation v. Harrison, 264 Conn. 829 (2003)
Republic Credit Corp. I v. Hoffman, 46 Fed. Appx. 19 (2d Cir. 2002)
Mellon v. Century Cable Management Corp., 247 Conn. 790 (1999)
Bogosian v. Woloohojian, 158 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 1998)
Gallant v. Cavallaro, 50 Conn. App. 132 (1998)
News
10/14/2009, Charles D. Ray and Thomas J. Rechen Selected as Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Speaking
2012, Mr. Ray has appeared as a faculty member at several seminars devoted to appellate practice and procedure, most recently at the Connecticut Bar Association's Appellate Advocacy Institute.
Charles D. Ray
Publications
01/31/12, Connecticut: The Deadline for Challenging Property Tax Assessments is Approaching
John R. Mallin and Charles D. Ray
M&E Real Estate Alert
09/15/2003, Now Here's an Election to Watch
Charles D. Ray
07/14/2003, You Have to Ask What Super Secret Probation Is
Charles D. Ray
06/09/2003, Just The Facts
Charles D. Ray
04/21/2003, A Prudent End
Charles D. Ray
01/06/2003, Hoist on His Own Petard
Charles D. Ray
11/04/2002, Judicial Elections Mar Fair Decisions
Charles D. Ray
09/02/2002, Come Clean When it Comes to Adverse Authority
Charles D. Ray
08/05/2002, This is About Getting to the Point Quickly
Charles D. Ray
04/19/2002, An Argument That Stinks In The Freezer
Charles D. Ray
03/11/2002, Call The Doctor -- This Appeal Ruling Needs Help
Charles D. Ray
02/04/2002, The Final Hurdle
Charles D. Ray
12/10/2001, An Appealing Niche
Charles D. Ray
10/29/2001, Some Words on Final Judgments
Charles D. Ray
09/03/2001, Win Opening Gambit With Passion, Punch
Charles D. Ray
09/03/2001, Analyzing an ADA Analogy
Charles D. Ray
08/06/2001, Court's 'Dark Side' Definitions are Unpredictable
Charles D. Ray