Charles R. Smith was admitted to the practice of law in 1987 and has since that time sought to provide sound advice and quality representation to his clientele. Among his goals is to put the interest of the client first and to empower the client with valuable and relevant information whenever possible.
Charles spent his primary youth in the city of his birth, Winona, Minnesota. Following a family move, he attended high school in Amarillo, Texas and began his college education at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. Charles married his high school sweetheart, Carol, in 1980 and they relocated to Oklahoma for Charles to work in a family apple and peach orchard operation while he attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. In 1983, Charles graduated with high honors from East Central University, majoring in accounting. Following graduation, Charles and Carol relocated to Tucson, Arizona in order for Carol to be closer to her family while Charles studied law. Charles attended the University of Arizona College of Law where he obtained a Juris Doctor in 1986. After working for two medium size law firms and having two young children, Charles opened his doors as a sole practitioner in 1991.
Charles is a member of the Pima County Bar Association, the State Bar of Arizona, and the American Bar Association. Charles is admitted to practice law in the courts of Arizona, the United States District Court in and for the District of Arizona, the United States Bankruptcy Court in and for the District of Arizona, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Tax Court. Charles is additionally authorized to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service.
Charles has received many honors and accolades during his education and throughout his career. Charles was honored with the distinguished graduate award from East Central University, a bar service award, and an outstanding pro bono attorney award from the Pima County Bar Association. Charles is also a life member in the National Registry of Who’s Who. In 2018, Charles received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who's Who.
Charles has previously served as a treasurer and one of the directors of the Young Lawyers Division of the Pima County Bar Association, as well as an active participant on the Membership and Membership Benefits committees of the Pima County Bar Association. Charles also served as a member of the State Bar of Arizona committee on Rules of Professional Responsibility and is a member of multiple sections of the State Bar and American Bar associations. For many years, Charles was a member of the Southern Arizona Legal Aid Bankruptcy Task Force and continues to this day as a volunteer lawyer for Southern Arizona Legal Aid. Charles also serves on the editorial board of The Writ, the official newsletter of the Pima County Bar Association.
In 2015, Charles was selected by the Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to attend the FBI Citizens Academy. The FBI Citizens Academy curriculum focuses on federal law enforcement issues and challenges. Each graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy is eligible for participation in the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association. Following graduation, Charles joined the FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBIPCAAA) as a life member. The FBIPCAAA is a community-based and supported organization, associated with, but not part of the FBI, designed to promote a safer community through community service projects and a process of educating business, labor, media, medical, minority, religious, government, senior citizens, and other community leaders about law enforcement, with particular emphasis on the mission and resources of the FBI. In July 2016, Charles was elected as a director for the FBIPCAAA, and in June 2017 Charles was named as a Vice President of the FBIPCAAA. In August 2017, he was designated as Vice President of Operations, and in March 2018 began service as General Counsel Committee for the FBIPCAAA. Charles is pleased to be continuing his community service in support of the FBIPCAAA as well as in furtherance of their organizational directive to support the FBI's community outreach program.
In December 2017, Charles was selected as a member of the General Counsel Committee for the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINCAAA). Charles additionally serves in an advisory capacity on the FBINCAAA Board of Directors. The FBINCAAA and each of the local FBICAAA chapters are private, non-profit corporations, associated with, but not part of the FBI. Their members promote safer communities through community service projects and educating business, labor, media, medical, minority, religious, government, senior citizens, and other community leaders about law enforcement, with particular emphasis on the mission and resources of the FBI.
Charles and his exceptional staff remain devoted to Charles’ goals and ideals and, in doing so, to further the interests of our clients as best we are able.
Practice areas
35 years
35 years
35 years
35 years
35 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
AZ | Active | 1987 | 02/19/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Meritorious Service Medal | FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINCAAA) | 2020 |
2018 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award | Marquis Who’s Who | 2018 |
Member | Marquis Who's Who in the World | 2017 |
Client Distinction Award | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
Superb Rating | Avvo.com | 2014 |
Excellent Rating | Avvo.com | 2013 |
BV Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Honoree | Marquis Who's Who in American Law | 2004 |
Member | Marquis Who's Who in the World | 2003 |
Business Advisory Council | National Republican Congressional Committee | 2002 |
Who’s Who in the West | Who's Who | 2001 |
National Registry of Who’s Who - Lifetime | Who's Who Legal | 2000 |
Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney of the Month | Pima County Bar Association | 1994 |
Bar Service Award | Pima County Bar Association | 1993 |
Distinguished Graduate Award | East Central University, School of Business | 1983 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Charles R Smith PLLC | 1991 - Present |
Associate Attorney | Gabroy, Rollman & Bosse', PC | 1990 - 1991 |
Law Clerk / Associate Attorney | O'Connell & Bosse', PC | 1984 - 1990 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association | Life Member, and Member of Board of Directors | 2016 - Present |
Pima County Bar Association | Member of Editorial Board of The Writ | 2016 - Present |
Southern Arizona Legal Aid | Volunteer Attorney | 1994 - Present |
American Bar Association | 1987 - Present | |
Pima County Bar Association | 1987 - Present |
State Bar of Arizona | 1987 - Present | |
East Central Lawyers Alumni | 1983 - Present | |
Alpha Chi national honor society | 1982 - Present | |
Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Science Honor Society | 1982 - Present | |
FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association | General Counsel | 2018 - 2019 |
FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association | Vice President of Operations | 2017 - 2019 |
FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association | General Counsel | 2017 - 2021 |
Southern Arizona Legal Aid Bankruptcy Task Force | Member | 1994 - 1998 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Writ (PCBA) | Ergonomic Considerations for Desk Workers | 2021 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Travel Identification Guidelines | 2021 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Passport Photos in the Digital Age | 2021 |
The Writ (PCBA) | A Night WITH The Apollo | 2020 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Is Your Refrigerator Running? | 2019 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Recent Changes to the Arizona Corporation Commission | 2019 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Common IRS and Tax Scams | 2019 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Is Your Arizona ID Going to "Fly?" | 2018 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Social Media Tips for Best Practices | 2018 |
The Writ (PCBA) | PCBA Annual Awards Luncheon 2017 | 2017 |
The Writ (PCBA) | Practice of Law Dates & Deadlines | 2016 |
The Writ (PCBA) | A Chance to Look Inside the FBI | 2016 |
TucsonLegal.com | Use of the Limited Liability Company for Estate Planning | 2013 |
Charles R Smith PLLC newsletter | Small Business Structuring with Limited Liability Companies | 2011 |
TucsonLegal.com | Estate Planning Information | 2010 |
Charles R Smith PLLC newsletter | Starting A Business | 2009 |
Charles R Smith PLLC newsletter | Legal Employment Laws | 2008 |
Charles R Smith PLLC newsletter | Tax and Business Aspects of Marital Dissolution | 2007 |
Southern Arizona Legal Aid | Guide to Bankruptcy | 1993 |
University of Arizona College of Law | Doing Business WIth Clients | 1986 |
The Writ, Pima County Bar Journal | Type and Availability of Ethics Opinions | 1985 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Arizona College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1986 |
East Central University | Bachelor of Science, with high honors | 1983 |
West Texas State University | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Corporate Annual Meeting | Legal Review and Advice | 2013 |
Bankruptcy Counsel Meeting | Bankruptcy Round Table | 2005 |
Current Issues in Chapter 13 | Chapter 13 Round Table | 2004 |
Blue Flame Propane Directors Meeting | Business Planning | 2001 |
Bankruptcy Workshop | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy | 1993 |
Monthly Meeting | Tax Issues in Bankruptcy | N/A |
Various | Limited Liability Companies | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
LLC Formation | LLC successfully formed next day |
Creation of Living Trust | Client happy and given peace of mind. |
Property Owner versus Lien Claimant | The wrongful lien was removed from title by Court Order |
Taxpayer v. Internal Revenue Service | Deficiency abated |
Tax Lien Holder v. Property Owner | Title to property obtained |
Posted by Gary
May 10, 2016
Posted by Russell
November 5, 2013
Posted by Alicia Wadas
November 2, 2013
Nicole Levy, Business Attorney on Apr 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this attorney, whose reputation and credentials speak for themselves.
Andrew Alex, Business Attorney on Feb 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Nicole Levy, Business Attorney on Apr 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this attorney, whose reputation and credentials speak for themselves.
Andrew Alex, Business Attorney on Feb 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Adam Studnicki, Unknown Attorney on Aug 19, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smith is a well-respected lawyer and a valuable asset to this community. His continuing dedication to the law and his clients is admirable.
Dorothy Bunce, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Charles R Smith is one of the good guys - helping people in Arizona with the basic day to day legal problems that they often put off dealing with. I am honored to endorse Mr Smith & only regret I have not done so earlier.
Jill Rogers, Unknown Attorney on Mar 5, 2015
Relationship: Other
This attorney strives to always represent clients the best way possible. I endorse this lawyer.
Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
Relationship: Other
This attorney has great determination and drive. I endorse this lawyer.
Sam Israels, Business Attorney on Dec 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Charles Smith. He is a hard working, intelligent, and skilled attorney who fights hard to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients. A dedicated professional who is widely respected within the legal community.
Michael Goldstein, Business Attorney on Dec 9, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse attorney Charles Smith. He provides accurate and very helpful legal answers in the Avvo community to assist people who came here seeking help. He is an asset to our profession.
Philip Israels, Business Attorney on Dec 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Charles Smith is a very active member here in the Avvo community providing accurate and helpful legal answers for folks needing some advice on their case. He is a respected member in our profession. I fully endorse him.
Steven Cron, Business Attorney on Dec 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse attorney Charles Smith. Active participant in the Avvo community posting thoughtful legal answers to individuals who have asked for assistance. This not only demonstrates his excellent knowledge of the law, but also his commitment to serving clients very well. He is a valuable member to the legal industry.
Robin Mashal, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Smith has made a substantial number of contributions on AVVO. I have read several of his contributions and have found them to be thoughtful, informative and practical. I endorse this lawyer's work.
Howard Lewis, Business Attorney on Nov 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Smith is one of the finest attorneys in his state. I highly recommend his legal services.
Richard Geller, Unknown Attorney on Nov 25, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Charles. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication.
Michael LeMond, Business Attorney on Oct 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Dmitriy Shakhnevich, Business Attorney on Sep 28, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Hovanes Margarian, Business Attorney on Jul 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Trent Woods, Business Attorney on Jun 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Charles is a very knowledgeable business and estate planning attorney. He is careful and thorough when analyzing a client's situation, looking at the client's entire scenario, to ensure that the client's needs are met both in the short run and the long run. I recommend Charles to anyone in the Tucson area in need of business or estate planning services.
Sean Cleary, Business Attorney on May 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community.
Brandy Ramsay, Business Attorney on May 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Dennis Tackett, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Smith is a top notch lawyer. His clients like him and his legal opponents respect him.
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