Charles J. Surrano

Charles J. Surrano

4.0
Rating: 7.2

Licensed for 47 years

Insurance Lawyer at Scottsdale, AZ
Practice Areas: Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance

7114 E Stetson Dr Ste 300, Scottsdale, AZ

About Charles

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Arizona for 42 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 1983

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Licensed in New York for 47 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1979

Currently Registered

Location

Charles J. Surrano, III Attorney

7114 E Stetson Dr Ste 300, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251-3251

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Charles J. Surrano's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Heather | November 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

OUTSTANDING

I hired Charles and his firm to help me with a life insurance claim. He did an outstanding job and was always available with a quick response to any questions I had during the suit. We won the settlement and there is no doubt in my mind it was because I had Charlie representing me. If you want an att...orney that will fight for you Charlie is the guy.

Posted by Russ | July 31, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Horrible Experience

Hired Charlie back in March for case against insurance company. Agreed to take the case for 40%(!) of settlement. Despite promises, has done virtually nothing in 4 months. All calls roll to voice mail and are never returned. Repeatedly called main numbered until someone finally answered. After t...hat, we received a letter from Charles Surrano withdrawing from the case. I honestly was shocked when someone answered the phone, as I assumed he was out of business. Something's not right with this firm, in my opinion.

Charles Surrano

Replied last August 30, 2019

It is true I fired Russell and his wife as clients. I have rarely had to do so, but reserve the right to determine whom I will ultimately represent, especially in court. This matter never got that far. I was approached to take on their case in March. After several calls from his wife, where I spoke to her personally, I agreed in April to proceed. In that same month I was diagnosed with a serious back condition which would require extensive surgery. Not long after I went out for surgery and was on extended medical leave. While on leave, Russell had his wife call my office numerous times(he never called). My staff spoke with her each time and advised her of my circumstances. My staff advised me she seemed impatient at the prospect of delay in their case and began making demands. Consequently, I elected to free Russell and his wife from our contract so they might find other counsel. Although I spent hours meeting with them and reviewing their materials and researching their possible claims they were not charged anything. They have plenty of time to find other counsel and file their case. The inconvenience of their perceived delay caused them or their case no harm. Finally, the operation was a success and I am back at work full time working for my other clients, none of whom made complaints or statements such as Russell has made here. Indeed, clients and counsel alike were understanding and supportive during my medical hiatus. In all, it appears my decision to terminate my relationship with Russell and his wife was better for both of us.

Posted by anonymous | April 19, 2015

The Best

An attorney/friend recommended Charlie Surrano to me based on his experience in search of the highest peer-recommended plaintiff attorney. The name that came up, from major law firms, was Charlie Surrano who he then secured as his legal counsel. Does it get any better to get the name of your docto...r's doctor? My attorney/friend has known Charlie for years and holds him in high regard. Although I never knew my friend when he practiced I have been told that as a litigator he owned the court room so for him as a former experienced litigator to recommend Charlie came with a distinct value. Charlie has been more of a legal sounding board for me as my case gets better positioned for litigation. Throughout that process he has been a knowledgeable listener and his intuitive instincts have proven on-point. This review would not be complete without acknowledging the staff that I have been in contact with when working with Charlie. Jennie and Christina are personable, responsive and another step above the professional standard norm.

Posted by Sarah | April 11, 2015

Professionalism at its Finesst

Charles Surrano is the most professional, knowledgeable and courteous lawyer I have ever met. His experience and dedication makes his clients feel safe and informed. He and his staff go above and beyond in their service. I recommend Charles Surrano to everyone I know!

See All Client Reviews

Charles J. Surrano's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Charles
Thomas L Hudson headshot
Thomas Hudson

Insurance lawyer | Sep 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Charlie Surrano on several matters, and he fights hard to get his clients excellent results. He has a great courtroom presence, and he also knows how to develop the trial court record in the event an appeal becomes necessary."

Calvin C Thur headshot
Calvin Thur

Insurance lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Charlie Surrano is known in the legal community as a leader in the field of insurance bad faith. He is an attorney with integrity and dedication and I am pleased to endorse him."

Arthur E Lloyd headshot
Arthur Lloyd

Insurance lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. He knows insurance law very well and is especially good atinsurance bad faith"

Jeffrey T Pyburn headshot
Jeffrey Pyburn

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Terrific trial lawyer. Expertise in bad faith litigation. Smart, creative and extremely effective."

Evan S Goldstein headshot
Evan Goldstein

Insurance lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr Surrano is an excellent lawyer.. I would highly recommend him to others including a member of my family if need be"

View All Endorsements
Calvin C Thur headshot
Calvin Thur

Insurance lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.2 (Very Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Admonition and Probation issued in AZ, 2024

updated on 03/26/2024

An admonishment means the attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. While on probation, the State monitors the attorney's activities for a period of time in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2015

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

1988 - Present

Founder, Surrano Law Offices

1989 - 1990

Special Assistant Attorney General, Maricopa County Attorney's Office

1979 - 1981

Assistant Public Defender, Greene County Public Defender's Office

Education

1978

Albany Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1975

State University of New York, Albany

Speaking Engagements

2015

2015 Insurance Law Institute

Bad Faith Panel

2014

Annual Symposium on Insurance Law and Bad Faith

Insurance and Bad Faith

2013

Good Hands, Good Neighbors and Bad Faith

Long Term Disability Bad Faith

2007

14th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Bad Faith & Punitive Damages

Bad Faith

2004

2004 ATLA Annual Convention

How Not to Ruin a Bad Faith Case

2003

The Ninth National Advanced Forum on Litigating Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

Expert Witnesses in Bad Faith

2003

Disability Insurance Claims in Arizona

Disability Insurance

2003

2003 ATLA Winter Conference

Strategies for Obtaining Punitive Damages

2002

The Eighth National Advanced Forum on Litigating Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

The Continuously Evolving Punitive Damages Formula: What Gore and Cooper Mean Now

2002

The 5th Annual Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims

Bad Faith Punitive Damages in Disability Claims

2002

Disability Insurance Claims and Bad Faith in Colorado

Disability Income Claims and Bad Faith

2001

Mealey's Bad Faith Conference

Trial Tutorial in Bad Faith Cases

2001

Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

2001

2001 ATLA Annual Convention in Montreal

Bad Faith Litigation Group

2000

Sixth National Conference Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

Bad Faith and Punitive Damages

2000

Learn at Lunch

Building and Winning Bad Faith Cases

1999

Strategies for Success in Litigating Disability Insurance Claims

Bad Faith Disability Claims

1999

Defendants' and Plaintiffs' Perspectives Analyzed at Fourth Annual Advanced ALI-ABA Conference on Life Insurance Litigation

Life Insurance Litigation

Publications

2015

Arizona Association for Justice/Arizona Trial Lawyers Association The Face of Modern Disability Insurance Bad Faith

N/A

Various Various Bad Faith Insurance Issues

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using 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. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution