Cultural Heritage Partners taps Charles Curlett to lead litigation push

Cultural Heritage Partners has named former Manhattan prosecutor and federal trial lawyer Charles N. Curlett, Jr. as partner and chair of its Litigation Practice. The move comes as the firm expands cases involving federal preservation law and high-profile disputes over cultural sites and public projects.

Why it matters: - Cultural Heritage Partners is expanding into more courtroom-heavy fights that can shape preservation policy, public projects and cultural rights. - Curlett brings trial experience in white-collar defense, government investigations and complex civil disputes, which can strengthen the firm’s ability to litigate high-stakes cases. - The hire signals that cultural heritage disputes are increasingly being treated as major legal battles, not just policy or advocacy campaigns.

What happened: - Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC named Charles N. Curlett, Jr. as partner and chair of its Litigation Practice. - Curlett is a former Manhattan prosecutor and federal trial lawyer. - The firm announced the hire on June 9, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. - CHP said Curlett will help lead its expanding national litigation docket.

The details: - Curlett has handled sophisticated trial work, white-collar defense, government investigations and complex civil disputes with major financial and reputational exposure. - His background spans private practice and government service. - CHP co-founder Greg Werkheiser called Curlett one of the firm’s most formidable trial lawyers and said the hire matches the firm’s need for courtroom leadership. - Curlett said cultural heritage cases sit at the intersection of law, politics and public accountability. - Curlett also said those cases require trial readiness and strategic clarity. - CHP’s litigation docket includes cases against the Trump administration involving federal compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. - Those cases involve plans to alter the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the Kennedy Center.

Between the lines: - CHP is pairing its preservation-law mission with a more aggressive trial posture. - The Curlett hire suggests the firm expects more disputes to turn on procedure, regulatory compliance and courtroom leverage. - The firm is positioning itself for nationally significant cases where legal outcomes can affect both historic sites and government decision-making.

What’s next: - Curlett is expected to help drive CHP’s litigation strategy and courtroom execution. - The firm is likely to continue pursuing federal preservation and environmental cases tied to major public institutions and projects. - CHP may use the hire to broaden the reach and visibility of its national docket.

The bottom line: - CHP is betting that a seasoned trial lawyer will help turn cultural heritage disputes into courtroom wins.