The son of a career Navy man who retired to the Pacific Northwest, Charles began a law enforcement career in 1975 as a patrolman with the Bellevue, Washington police department, earning Officer of the Year honors his rookie year. While assigned to the department’s narcotics division he entered law school. He resigned from the force in 1979 to continue his studies, joining the Seattle law firm of Levinson Friedman as an investigator. “I was doing exactly what I was doing in the police department: investigating, taking statements. I enjoyed the maritime end of it especially. I became good at meeting with longshoremen, seamen, injured people and witnesses.”

Charles earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1981 and was admitted to the bar in 1982. He practiced at Levinson Friedman, becoming a partner in 1986. The investigative skills he acquired in law enforcement helped him him compile a strong record of success in personal injury case law. He chaired the Maritime Section of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association in 1994-95.

Charles founded Jones & Ward with his fellow former Levinson partner Ron Ward. The most satisfying aspect of his personal injury law practice, he says, is working directly with clients: “When they come to you they’re usually emotionally and financially distraught. At the end of the case they smile and say, ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you. You’ve taken a huge burden away.’”

Charles is a member of the King County Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

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