Biography
With over 60 years of litigation experience, Charles Smith was a respected attorney who focused primarily on tort litigation in the state and federal courts where he tried over 300 cases. Charles was named a Fellow in both the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and was an Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocates. He served as President of the State Bar of Texas and the San Antonio Bar Association, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, the Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the Commission for Lawyer Discipline. He also served on the State Board of Disciplinary Appeals. He has been involved in state, regional, and national legal associations throughout his career.
Jackson Walker features profiles of its Retired Partners in recognition of their long and accomplished service to the firm, our clients, and our communities. Our Retired Partners are no longer practicing law. If you are interested in consulting with a Jackson Walker lawyer in the practice area where Charles worked, please email us here. We will connect you with someone who can be most helpful for your inquiry, or pass along a personal message to our Retired Partner.
Education
B.A., Texas A&M University
J.D., magna cum laude, St. Mary’s University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
- Distinguished Law Alumni’s Award, Law Alumni Association of St. Mary’s University, 1982
- Attorney of the Year Award, Texas Aggie Bar Association, 1985
- Lola Wright Foundation Award, Texas Bar Foundation for Outstanding Public Service in the Enhancement of Legal Ethics in Texas, 2001
- Joe Frazier Brown, Sr. Award of Excellence, San Antonio Bar Association, 2005
- Carol Lomax Memorial Award, San Antonio Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, 2006
- Lifetime Achievement Award, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2007
- Outstanding 50 year Lawyer Award, Texas Bar Foundation, 2007
- Texas Legal Legend, Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, 2010
- Lifetime Achievement Award, San Antonio Business Journal , 2012
- Ethical Life Award, South Texas Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, 2014
- “Best S.A. Lawyers” List, San Antonio Scene, 2017-2020
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Insurance Coverage
- State Bar of Texas
- Board of Directors, 1978-1981, 1984-1987
- Chairman of Board of Directors 1980-1981
- President 1985-1986
- San Antonio Bar Association
- Board of Directors 1973-1975
- First Vice-President, 1975-1976
- President 1976-1977
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, President, 1978-1979
- Commission on Judicial Conduct, Chairman, 1990-1994
- Commission for Lawyer Discipline
- Vice-Chairman, 1995-1997
- Chairman, 1997-1998
- Board of Disciplinary Appeals, 2006-2012
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- American Bar Association, House of Delegates, 1985-1986
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- State Committee, 1983-1989
- Chairman 1987-1989
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- Board of Directors, 1998-2003
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
- American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
- Board of Trustees, 1981-1984
- San Antonio Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
July 14, 2021
Attorney News‘Scene in S.A.’ Recognizes 38 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 “Best S.A. Lawyers” List
In its 17th year, the “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County. The survey takes the voters for each attorney into account, including where the voter works, their practice area, and how many years they have practiced.
July 30, 2020
Attorney News‘Scene in S.A.’ Recognizes 40 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 “Best S.A. Lawyers” and “Rising Star Lawyers” Lists
In its 16th year, the “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County.
June 24, 2019
Attorney News‘San Antonio Scene’ Recognizes 39 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2019 “Best Lawyers” List
In its 15th year, S.A. Scene‘s “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County.
July 23, 2018
Attorney News‘San Antonio Scene’ Recognizes All San Antonio Attorneys in “Best Lawyers” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 37 attorneys who were recognized in San Antonio Scene’s “Best S.A. Lawyers” and “Rising Star Lawyers” lists for 2018.
June 29, 2017
Attorney News36 Jackson Walker Attorneys Recognized in S.A. Scene’s 2017 Best Lawyers List
Jackson Walker is proud to announce that 36 of its partners and counsel have been recognized in S.A. Scene magazine’s “Best S.A. Lawyers 2017” list.
September 29, 2014
Attorney NewsCharles Smith Receives Ethical Life Award
Jackson Walker of counsel Charles Smith recently received the Ethical Life Award given by the South Texas Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.
April 30, 2014
Attorney NewsS.A. Scene Releases 2014 “Best S.A. Lawyers”
Jackson Walker congratulates the firm’s partners and counsel who were recently included in S.A. Scene‘s 2014 “Best S.A. Lawyers” list.