While in college, Charles joined the Navy Reserve as a cryptologic technician and eventually attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. Charles earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Cincinnati. He worked as a research assistant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and later in technical support for a major ERP software company in Grand Rapids.
In 2008, Charles graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After graduation, he spent two years at a small firm practicing different areas of the law.
Two years later, Charles joined an estate planning firm and a year later was a founding member of Cottrell & Jacobs, PLC, which focused its practice on estate planning and elder law. After seven years, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he practiced as an estate planning and elder law attorney.
He moved back to Grand Rapids in 2019, and shortly thereafter opened Cottrell Law. After five years of running a successful solo practice, he partnered with Christine Senkowski to form Legacy Estate Planning & Elder Law.
In addition to holding law licenses in Michigan and Georgia, Charles is accredited by the Veteran’s Administration for assisting individuals applying for Veteran’s benefits.
Charles enjoys using the problem-solving skills that he acquired over the years to come up with the best solutions for his clients.
Education
- Thomas M Cooley Law School, JD cum laude
- University of Cincinnati, BA, Physics
Court and Bar Admissions
- All Michigan State Courts
- State Bar of Michigan (2008)
- State Bar of Georgia (2019)
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
Professional Activities
- Charles has presented at several Michigan ICLE seminars on estate planning topics.
- Charles is a long-time board member of the Forest Hills Business Association.
Special Purpose Trust Publications:
