EXPERIENCE
With 35 years of diverse legal experience, Attorney Sapienza has dedicated his career to serving the residents of Lawrence County and the surrounding area.
A 1985 graduate of Westminster College and a 1989 graduate of the University of Akron School of Law—where he earned recognition for excellence in trial advocacy—Mr. Sapienza’s legal journey began as an intern for the Prothonotary of Lawrence County. He gained valuable experience as a clerk for the Honorable Ralph Pratt and at the law firm of Luxenberg, Garbett & Kelly. Initially an associate, Charles then became a partner in Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & Sapienza.
In 2002, he launched his solo practice, then a partner in Sapienza and Bonner LLC in 2009, before returning to solo practice in 2015. Today, Attorney Sapienza maintains a solo practice while representing numerous clients which include individuals in personal injury actions, criminal cases, wrongful death claims, insurance litigations, injured workers, disability claims, municipalities, school districts, and employers,.
This extensive legal experience has shaped his commitment to the law and justice, making him uniquely and well-qualified to serve as the next Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Lawrence County.
Areas of Practice
School & Municipal Law
Criminal Law
Personal Injury Claims
Wrongful Death Litigation
Insurance Disputes
Injured Workers’ Compensation
Social Security Disability Claims
Administrative Law Judge/Legal Advisor
Title IX Compliance
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Complaints
Family and Medical Leave Act Issues
Americans with Disabilities Act Cases
As a lifelong resident of Lawrence County, Attorney Sapienza has built a distinguished legal career, representing key public institutions and community interests throughout the region:
- Solicitor for New Castle Area School District: Provides legal counsel on a wide range of matters, including contracts, personnel issues, and compliance with education laws.
- Solicitor for Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV: Advises the organization on legal matters affecting multiple school districts, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Former Solicitor for Reynolds Area School District
- Zoning Hearing Board Representation: Represented Union, Hickory, and Shenango Township Zoning Hearing Boards in land-use and zoning matters, offering expertise on zoning ordinance codes.
- Solicitor for New Castle Airport Authority: Acted as legal advisor, overseeing contracts, land-use issues, and regulatory matters related to the airport’s operations.
- Bond Counsel for New Castle Sanitation Authority & New Castle Area School District: Provided legal counsel in matters related to municipal bonds, ensuring compliance with financial lending and Bond issuance requirements.
- Litigator for Tax Assessment Appeals: Defended against property tax appeals, ensuring fairness in tax assessments and protecting municipalities from claims for reductions or exemptions.
- Personal Injury Representation: Successful resolutions and litigation for injured persons due to no fault of their own and fighting for workers to receive compensation and medical benefits when injured at work.
ADMISSIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Attorney Sapienza is admitted to practice law in:
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- The Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Attorney Sapienza is an active or past member of several legal organizations:
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Lawrence County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice
- Western Pennsylvania Trial Association
- Pennsylvania School Board Solicitor Association
“An elite group of attorneys who have been rated highly by their peers as having Very High Ethical Standards and A grade (45. of higher). This is the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.” www.martendale.com
5 Star Client rating. www.AVVO.com
EDUCATING FUTURE PROFESSIONALS
Attorney Sapienza has shared his legal expertise as a paralegal instructor at the Erie School of Business and the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. He has also been a guest speaker at Duquesne University, addressing prospective school administrators.
In addition, he authored a publication for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, contributing to continuing legal education programs. These efforts reflect his dedication to fostering knowledge and professionalism within his community.
FAMILY
Attorney Sapienza’s commitment to family and community values extends beyond his professional experience. A lifelong Lawrence County resident, Attorney Sapienza has been married to his wife and high school sweetheart, Maria, for 40 years. Together, they’ve raised four children and welcomed a grandson in 2022.
“Maria and I have been truly blessed with a loving and wonderful family. We are extremely proud of all of our children and their life’s work. Our grandson has become the shining star and we look forward to the next chapter.”
Top Row: Rachel, Chuck, Jay, Alaina, Auston
Bottom Row: Maria, Chuck, Adrianne
