A lifelong Bay Area resident, Charlie attended Stanford University, followed by two years of post-graduate work as slot machine mechanic at a Lake Tahoe casino. He then attended the University of Santa Clara Law School, graduating in 1978.
Now retired from the active practice of law, Charlie spent the last four decades specializing in all aspects of estate planning, probate, trust law, and conservatorships. He has served as court-appointed attorney for both those who are subject to an on-going conservatorship and those facing the loss of autonomy that comes with being conserved. He came to appreciate that the law, lawyers, courts, and judges, all have an impact on a client's emotional and relational, as well as legal, life. Nowhere is that impact more acute than in these areas of the law. Charlie pursued his interest in counseling, completing a Masters program in counseling psychology at Holy Names University in 2007 followed by a four year internship at Hospice by the Bay, and subsequent licensure as a marriage and family therapist.In his clinical training, Charlie focused on bereavement work with children and adults, individually and in groups, and with families. His psychotherapy practice included working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, addiction, gref and loss, and trauma. His work as a psychotherapist and grief counselor gave him a unique perspective on his work with all his law clients.
To get away from it all, he goes on long bicycle rides, and is reminded of why it all matters by staying in close touch with his two adult daughters and three grandchildren.