Hawkins Parnell Promotes Chelcie Charles to Partner
September 16, 2026 (Dallas, TX) – Hawkins Parnell is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Chelcie Charles to partner. She joined the firm's Dallas office as a senior associate in 2024.
Charles represents and defends companies in high-exposure litigation, including complex premises liability, wrongful death, product liability, transportation, and oil and gas matters across Texas and Arizona. Earlier this year, she obtained a directed verdict as lead trial counsel for a global hospitality company in a premises liability case arising from an accident at one of its San Antonio properties.
"Chelcie is one of those rare talents who is well beyond her years of experience," said Douglas Simek, partner-in-charge of Hawkins Parnell's Dallas office. "She learned to try cases early as a prosecutor, and it shows in how comfortable she is in front of a jury as a first chair.”
Charles has earned recognition in the 2026 Rising Stars list of Thomson Reuters' Texas Super Lawyers and in Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch list for the past two years. She has also been named to The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list for three consecutive years and was selected to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 list.
As a former Assistant District Attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, Charles now assists pro bono in criminal defense matters. She also mentors new lawyers and law students, judges mock trial competitions, and serves on the Advisory Council for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dallas.
Charles earned her law degree from the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law and her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University.
About Hawkins Parnell & Young
Hawkins Parnell & Young is a national defense litigation firm that has represented many of the largest and most well-known companies in high-risk litigation and business disputes. The 250-strong litigation team works with clients to develop winning defense strategies and, if necessary, try cases to verdict in all 50 states.
