Charles Gibbs focuses his practice on criminal defense, family law, and election and municipal law matters. He is well known for his meticulous preparation and aggressive trial advocacy skills. A prominent trial attorney with a devotion to public service, Mr. Gibbs is a past president of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, the largest association of African American attorneys in Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is the co-chair of the City Policy Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Mr. Gibbs is well known for his zealous and aggressive representation of individuals facing misdemeanor and felony charges at the state and federal levels. He also represents individuals in child custody, support and divorce litigation. Governmental entities, political campaigns, elected officials and nonprofit organizations are also among his clients. He currently serves as solicitor for Darby Borough, in Delaware County, and formerly served as solicitor for Yeadon Borough, also in Delaware County.

Before practicing law, Mr. Gibbs, a West Philadelphia native, worked on and managed political campaigns and served in local government.

In 2021, the Philadelphia Board of Judges elected Mr. Gibbs to a lifetime appointment on the Board of Directors of City Trusts, a group of Philadelphia citizens who, along with the mayor and city council president, are charged with the administration of approximately 116 trusts left to the City of Philadelphia for charitable purposes. Mr. Gibbs serves proudly on the Sundry Trust and Girard College Committees.

Mr. Gibbs is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey state bars. He is admitted to practice before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

After graduating from Temple University, Mr. Gibbs earned a J.D., cum laude, from Widener University School of Law, where he served as Vice President of the Moot Court Honor Society and President of the Black Law Students Association. He has been inducted into the West Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

Among Mr. Gibbs’ honors are being selected to The Philadelphia Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40” list and being included in LEADERSHIP Philadelphia’s Keepers Program. The Legal Intelligencer recognized him among Lawyers on the Fast Track, and he has been selected annually to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2012. The Barristers’ named him an Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2014, and in 2023, presented him with the J. Austin Norris Award, which is presented annually to an attorney who has demonstrated distinguished service to the association, the legal profession, and the community at large. He was also named to the City & State Law Power 100 in 2022 and 2023, a list of the most influential legal professionals in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gibbs is the doting husband of the Honorable Monica N. Gibbs and the proud father of Charleston and Robinson Gibbs. While his heart remains in his native West Philadelphia, he is a proud resident of East Oak Lane.

Highlights

  • Selected to list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2012-Present (2012-2022 Rising Stars)
  • Lifetime Member, Board of Directors, City Trusts
  • Barristers’ Association: Executive Board Member, Past President, 2014 “Outstanding Young Lawyer,” and 2023 Recipient of J. Austin Norris Award
  • Philadelphia Bar Association City Policy Committee co-chair
  • City and State Law Power 100 List, 2022-Present
  • Philadelphia Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40,” 2015
  • The Legal Intelligencer “Lawyers on the Fast Track,” 2015; Fast Track judging panelist, 2018

Education

  • Widener University School of Law (JD, cum laude)
  • Temple University (BA)

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court