Charles W. Browning

Charles W. Browning is a partner and co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group. He oversees a nationwide coverage practice for major insurance companies and handles complex insurance disputes, commercial litigation, tort claims, and construction defect matters. His coverage work includes high-exposure disputes involving bad faith, class actions, mass torts, environmental claims, defective products, asbestos, professional liability, and other significant risks.

Charles earned a J.D. from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1981 after receiving a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1978. His education provided the foundation for a career focused on insurance coverage analysis, litigation, and counseling. Over decades of practice, he has developed substantial experience interpreting policy obligations, evaluating complex claims, and representing carriers in disputes across numerous jurisdictions.

Charles has represented and counseled insurance carriers in complex coverage matters throughout the United States for more than 38 years. His representative work includes disputes involving construction defects, municipal liabilities, mass torts, contaminated products, directors and officers claims, professional liability, and large property losses. He has also handled high-exposure tort matters and has been admitted pro hac vice in more than 34 states.

Charles W. Browning is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and has received longstanding recognition from Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He has held leadership roles in DRI insurance programs and publications and received DRI’s Albert H. Parnell Award. His practice combines nationwide coverage counseling, litigation experience, professional leadership, and detailed knowledge of insurer duties and complex liability disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Plunkett Cooney PC
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar (Insurance Law Committee)
• Member, American Bar Association (Litigation Section and Torts and Insurance Practice Section)
• Member, State Bar of Michigan (Insurance Law, Negligence and Environmental Law Sections)
• Fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel
• Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel (Insurance Committee) (2006-2008)
• Member, Board of Editors, Defense Counsel Journal
• Member, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (Insurance Committee)

Licensed State

• Michigan

Education

• University of Detroit School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Michigan State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges