The Original Charles Peruto Has Died
A. Charles Peruto Sr.—a legendary Philadelphia lawyer who was father to Chuck Jr., the flamboyant attorney—has died.
Time and again some of today’s best Philadelphia lawyers have pointed to A. Charles Peruto Sr., Chuck Peruto, as the standard.
“I remember the first time I saw him in the courtroom and I walked out of there thinking that’s the kind of trial lawyer I want to be. In a nutshell, he is the best I have ever seen,” says defense attorney and former prosecutor Brian McMonagle.
Attorney and son-in-law Perry deMarco Sr. learned from the master.
“He helped me become what I am today, that’s for sure. Anything I am as an attorney today, I owe to being a good student of Chuck’s,” says deMarco.
Throughout his career as a criminal defense lawyer, Peruto was known for his many high profile clients, including former Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen.l
Peruto earned several honors during his legendary law career, including the Widener Law Legacy Award back in 2010.
He famously battled against prosecutor Richard Sprague in the case of Jack Lopinson over the slaying of his wife and business partner, Judy Seflin Lopinson.
Peruto was never one to back away from a challenge. In fact, when asked if he’d take the opportunity to represent Osama bin Laden, he said he’d jump at the chance.
“Oh my God, yes,” Peruto told Daily News columnist Elmer Smith in 2001. “I might take it myself, just to get close enough to hit him in the head with a crowbar.”
Those close to him say that’s classic Chuck – a top-notch lawyer with a flair for the dramatic.
