Deshonda P. Charles, ESQ.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Attorney Deshonda P. Charles, a.k.a. Dee the Legalista© received her law degree from Tulane University Law School in 2003 before settling in Houston, Texas in 2005. In addition to the active practice of law, Attorney Charles is a sought-after professional speaker on topics such as Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning, Entrepreneurship, and Collaborative Business Initiatives.

Attorney Charles has over 20 years of experience practicing law and serves as the CEO and Managing Attorney of D. Charles & Associates, PLLC (“DCA”). DCA provides legal services in the following areas: Estate Planning, Probate Litigation, Employment Discrimination, Family Law, Personal Injury, Small Business Counsel, and Civil Litigation. First licensed in 2003, Attorney Charles is licensed to practice law in four (4) States which include Texas, Louisiana, New York, and Connecticut, in the U.S. District Court for both the Southern and Western Districts of Texas, and before the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Since arriving in Houston, Attorney Charles has been a reliable source of knowledge and influence in her community. Serving as a graduate-school level adjunct professor and board member for area nonprofit organizations, Attorney Charles dedicates a significant amount of time to serving others with the goal of creating maximum positive impact. For example, Attorney Charles founded and serves as Executive Director for the week-long summer enrichment camp for kids Camp AATTIA (pr. Uh-tee-uh) – hosted in the City of Houston. For one week at Camp AATTIA, 8 – 12 campers, ages 8 to 16 years old, experience an unforgettable, fun-whilelearning, summer adventure. Camp AATTIA wrapped up its 16th summer this past July. AATTIA stands for Achieving Awesome Things Through Inspired Action.

Attorney Charles is a past president and member of the Houston Lawyers Association and an active member of several national, state, and local bar associations and groups. She is a member of the Texas Bar College, a 2016 graduate of the United Way Project Blueprint Program, a Spring 2022 graduate of Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and a featured panelist and guest speaker for both local and national organizations including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, where she educates audiences on the 5 Cs of Successful Business Succession Planning.

Attorney Charles is married to her wonderful husband, Joseph M. Smith, and they live and attend church in Houston’s 5th Ward.