For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We’ve found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?
Family: Married to Michelle Charanza for 18 years who is my law partner. She attended the University of Houston Law School and I went to South Texas College of Law; two daughters ages 16 and 14.
Best thing about being a lawyer: Helping others who cannot help themselves.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? Burn out from being overworked.
Bet you didn’t know: Last Judge Advocate in the U.S. Armed Forces to complete jungle training at the Jungle Operations Training Center, Fort Sherman, Panama before the U.S. closed the base.
Another little known fact: That I was a Texas Cheerleader.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? The President of the United States. I would not be politically correct and speak what the American people want to hear from a leader.
Areas of practice: Criminal Law only, Board Certified in Criminal Law.
Education: B.S. Speech, University of Texas – Austin, 1987; J.D. South Texas College of Law, 1992.
Culinary talent: Makes a great potato salad.
Community Involvement: Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, have served for 19 years. Active at Denman Ave Baptist Church.
Mentors/heroes: Jesus Christ, George Patton, my father, my father-in-law.
Most important career lesson: NEVER QUIT OR GIVE UP.
Latest pursuit: Working to retire from the Marine Corps Reserve.
Favorite saying/quote: Never Give Up.
Pet peeve: People who are not on time or waste time because they are unorganized.
Secret for staying young: Keep your weight down and stay in shape.
Favorite album: Boston’s Greatest Hits.
Favorite movie: Too many to list.
Favorite sport: Football.
Favorite food: Bar-B-Que.
Favorite restaurant: Cheddar’s.
Hobbies: Reading.
Current reading material: Crazy Horse and Custer, the Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors by Stephen Ambrose.
Memorable vacation: Skiing with my daughters in Winter Park Colorado this year.
My favorite weekend retreats are: Staying at home and doing nothing.
If I had more time, I would: Sleep.
What most people don’t know about me: I am a warrior at heart.
The part of my job I do best is: Presenting my case to a jury and convincing them that following my theory is the right thing to do.
The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: Give 110% in whatever task assigned and no one can complain that you did not give your best. Emmett Sterling Huff, Attorney in Houston, TX whom I worked for as a law clerk.
If you weren’t an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Sales.
What’s the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? A friend of mine, David Brown, told me that I should be in law school. I took the LSAT and applied. The rest is history.
When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Spend time with my family.
What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? Computers and wireless internet.
How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? I believe that more court files will go paperless.
Albert John ‘Al’ Charanza, Jr. works at the Charanza Law Office P.C.
You can also view Al’s TexasBar.com profile
Prizes
It’s not every day that you’re randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).
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Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.