Biography

Hon. Charles C. Merrell, Multi-Bench Judge

Hon. Charles C. Merrell received a B.A. in Government from St. Lawrence University and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in Syracuse, New York.

In 1985, prior to returning to Lewis County, Judge Merrell was admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was an associate with the law firm of Carragher, Fox and Lampert, P.C. in Massachusetts for four years. Judge Merrell returned to Lewis County in 1989 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1990. He then began practicing with his brother, Edgar S. K. Merrell, 3rd, as fifth generation attorneys in Lowville.

In 1999 Judge Merrell was appointed and elected the Town of Lowville Justice as well as appointed the Village of Lowville Acting Justice.

In 2002 Judge Merrell was elected Lewis County Judge and Surrogate and took the bench January, 2003 where he presided over County Court, Family Court Surrogate’s Court, Family Treatment Court, and Drug Court. In 2007 Judge Merrell was appointed full time Acting Supreme Court Justice. Judge Merrell is the fourth member of his family to be Lewis County Court Judge, Eliada Merrell, Edgar S. K. Merrell, Nathaniel B. Merrell all held the office before him.

In 2011 Judge Merrell was elected Supreme Court Justice. In addition to his Supreme Court duties he currently presides over the asbestos litigation in the Fifth Judicial District.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Merrell served as past President for the Lewis County Bar Association and the Lowville Academy Alumni and Friend Association. In addition, Judge Merrell was a past director for the North County Children's Clinic.

Judge Merrell resides in the Village of Lowville with his wife and children.