Overview
Charles Fowler is a Principal in McKool Smith’s Austin office and a former federal prosecutor. His practice focuses on appeals, trials, and critical motions in complex commercial, intellectual property, and criminal cases. An experienced first-chair appellate advocate, Charles has handled more than 90 appeals and writ proceedings as lead counsel and has presented 22 appellate oral arguments spanning the First, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits and the Texas Court of Appeals. Charles also has substantial trial experience in state and federal courts across the country.
Charles rejoined McKool Smith in 2023 after three and one half years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California (Los Angeles) and Western District of Texas (Austin). In both districts, Charles was a member of the appellate section, where he handled appeals often raising novel statutory or constitutional issues.
Charles clerked for the Honorable Harris Hartz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. At the University of Texas School of Law, Charles was named Grand Chancellor for holding the top class rank at the end of his second year, the only time students are ranked. Charles participated in the law school’s Supreme Court Clinic. He was also a member of the Texas Law Review and Chairperson of the Legal Research Board.
Charles frequently writes and comments on a wide range of appellate topics.
J.D., with highest honors, The University of Texas, 2012
- Order of the Coif
- Grand Chancellor
- Texas Law Review
B.B.A, magna cum laude, Texas A&M University, 2009
- Hon. Harris Hartz, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- California
- Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Texas