Through the Lens: Focus on Hon. Charles “Tim” McCoy (Ret.)

Each year on April 9, the United States honors one of history’s most enduring leaders—Winston Churchill—through National Winston Churchill Day. This date marks the moment in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy, by act of Congress, granted Churchill honorary U.S. citizenship, making him the first person to receive such a distinction. It was a symbolic gesture acknowledging not only his pivotal role in shaping the modern world, but also the unyielding spirit he embodied in the darkest days of World War II.

That spirit left a lasting impression on Hon. Charles “Tim” McCoy (Ret.) not just as a student of history, but as a young man living in London in the late 1950s and early 1960s. “At that time,” he recalls, “Winston Churchill was still alive, and I had the privilege of seeing him a few times.” Like many who encounter greatness early, Judge McCoy admits he didn’t fully grasp Churchill’s impact then. It wasn’t until he became a judge that the full weight of Churchill’s leadership—and his determination—truly resonated.

Years later, Judge McCoy was gifted a bronze statue of Churchill by his wife. The piece, based on a famous photo, depicts Churchill standing on the rubble of a bombed-out London building. That image has become a touchstone for Judge McCoy—not just a reminder of Churchill’s grit, but a metaphor for the messy, high-stakes work of litigation and conflict resolution.

“I will never give in. I will never give up. I'm going to solve this problem one way or another … and that's exactly how I stand on the rubble of some messes—namely, litigation matters that need to be litigated—and find a solution working with people.”

Now serving as a neutral, Judge McCoy brings that same mindset to his work in alternative dispute resolution. He approaches each case with perseverance and perspective, helping parties work through difficult and often emotional circumstances to reach a meaningful outcome.

On National Winston Churchill Day, Churchill’s legacy serves as a reminder that resilience, focus and steady leadership are not just traits of great statesmen; they are qualities that can bring clarity and progress to even the most complex disputes.