Associate
Charles J.
Testa
Mr. Testa is an associate at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP. His practice emphasizes in criminal defense.
During his practice as the Deputy Public Defender in Adams County and at the firm, Mr. Testa has represented individuals in more than 30 jury trials, from DUI and careless driving to assaults, domestic violence and homicide.
While Mr. Testa is comfortable in the courtroom, he works tirelessly to resolve cases prior to trial by collecting mitigation, negotiating with the district attorney’s office and highlighting problems with the prosecution’s case.
Mr. Testa also helps clients seal records after dismissal, acquittal or after certain convictions.
A die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan, born and raised in Conneticut now calls Boulder, Colorado home with his wife. Mr. Testa enjoys playing music on his guitar and ukulele, italian cooking and good ol’ 60s soul music.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SCHOOL OF LAW, 2016
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BOSTON COLLEGE, 2012
Colorado
2016
Professional Associations
Colorado Bar Association
Boulder Bar Association
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Honors & Awards
Adams/Broomfield Bar Association 2019 Young Attorney of the Year
Resource-Mapping Project in Adams County, through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) in 2018-2019
Charles’ Blog
“FACES of Criminal Defense Law”
From left to right: Jon N. Banashek, Jason T. Pink, Kathleen Alt | View to profile here (pages 54-55) Partners, Jon Banashek, Jason Pink and Kathleen Alt, are recognized as "FACES of Criminal Defense Law" in the September/October issue of Colorado Biz, FACES of...
Legal Insight: Sealing Criminal Records in Colorado
In August 2019, Colorado expanded eligibility for file sealing. The new laws apply to all cases, including cases from before 2019. “Sealing” a record prevents any member of the public from seeing the case record. The record is not destroyed, but for all public...
COVID-19 Legal Insight: Speedy Trial in Colorado
The recent COVID-19 outbreak has brought new attention to the criminal defendant’s right to a speedy trial. The following explains what the right to a speedy trial means, the typical remedies for a violation, and how COVID-19 has changed the usual analysis. What is a...
In the News
Merritt Named Co-Chair of the Firm’s Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice
Shelly Merritt, a partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, has been named the co-chair of the Firm's Trust, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice. Merritt has over thirty years of experience representing individuals, families, closely-held businesses, executives, and...
BHGR Introduces the Women’s Leadership Committee
Just in time for Women's History Month, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP formed and formally introduced the BHGR Women's Leadership Committee. The Women's Leadership Committee is comprised of sixteen female attorneys and was established to recognize and cultivate a...
BHGR Partnership Expands with 2023 Elections
The Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti partnership gathered at our Boulder office on January 31, 2023. In that meeting, attorneys Geoff Williamson and Benjamin Wilson were elected Equity Partners, and Elizabeth Froehlke and DJ Goldfarb were elected Non-Equity Partners,...
Firm Happenings
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 ("SB 1162"), expanding California's data reporting requirements under Government...
Client Alert: What Employers Must Convey Upon Employee Termination or Separation
Colorado's most recent legislative session, concluding in early May, pushed through several new employment-related laws that concern employers and employees alike. Senate Bill (SB) 22-234 should be of particular interest to employers, as it requires employers to...
Client Alert: Colorado Places New Restrictions on Non-Compete Agreements Between Employers and their Employees
Colorado has long disfavored non-compete agreements within the state. Historically, under C.R.S. § 8-2-113, restrictive covenants were void and unenforceable except for under specific circumstances, including: the purchase and sale of a business or the assets of a...