As CEO and Managing Attorney of D. Charles Law Firm, PLLC, Deshonda P. Charles brings over two decades of experience and leadership in law to the forefront of estate planning and business succession matters. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Attorney Charles graduated from Tulane University Law School in 2003 and has since built a prominent legal career. Licensed to practice in Texas, Louisiana, New York and Connecticut, she most actively practiced in Texas and Louisiana. Attorney Charles is also licensed to practice before several federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise in complex legal topics, including income taxation of trusts, estates, and individuals.
Attorney Charles is a renowned educator and speaker, sought after for her ability to distill complex legal principles into understandable and actionable advice for legal professionals and the public. Her deep knowledge of the intersection of accounting, income taxation, estate planning, trust law, and business practices is backed by her extensive experience in both the courtroom and the classroom. She regularly presents Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions, training attorneys on the nuances of income taxation, settling trusts, legal compliance, and their impact on estate planning strategies, writing numerous papers on the topics. Her expertise and ability to collaborate in these areas allows her to guide legal professionals in maximizing client outcomes while navigating the complexities of taxation in trust and estate administration. Her presentations on income taxation of trusts, estates, and individuals equip legal professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to advise clients on the critical tax decisions that affect estate planning and wealth preservation.
In addition to her work in business succession planning and estate planning, Attorney Charles has built a diverse practice encompassing probate litigation, family law, employment discrimination, and personal injury matters. Under her leadership, D. Charles Law Firm, PLLC, has grown into a specialized boutique firm known for its personalized approach and dedication to client service. Her firm’s mission is to provide comprehensive legal solutions that are tailored to each client’s unique needs while fostering an environment of honesty, reliability, and flexibility.
Attorney Charles’s influence extends beyond her practice; she is the founder and Executive Director of Camp AATTIA, a STEAM focused summer enrichment camp for kids ages 8-16 in Houston, Texas that has completed over 17 years of service. A former president of the Houston Lawyers Association and an active member of numerous professional organizations, she serves on area nonprofit boards and continues to use her platform to advocate for minority-owned and small businesses and provide mentorship to the next generation of lawyers and business owners.
Attorney Charles is a member of the Texas Bar College, and a graduate of both the United Way Project Blueprint Program and Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses Program. Some of her accolades include being named one of the Top 30 Most Influential Women of Houston and one of the Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Texas.
When she’s not managing her firm or speaking at events, Attorney Charles enjoys time with family, but mostly her husband, Joseph Smith, her biggest supporter, and partner in her journey. Beyond the law, Attorney Charles uses her platform as a lawyer to empower others through education, legal expertise, and community leadership.
Paralegals: Should a paralegal need CLE credit, the paralegal should notify LawPracticeCLE of their paralegal status, so the Accreditation Administration team can seek accreditation with the NALA for approval in their state via reciprocity.
LawPracticeCLE partners with judges, attorneys, and paralegals to produce hundreds of hours each year of the most unique and beneficial continuing legal education on the market!
