Charles E. Carpenter, A Professional Corporation is a small law firm, founded in 1978, with the unique ability to deliver very effective professional legal services to its varied business and corporate clients. The Firm believes that even though it is small in size, its expertise and close relationships enable it to deliver legal services to its clients efficiently and economically, and allows it to give all client matters the special attention and skill which they deserve and expect.

The Firm’s philosophy is that clients hire lawyers because they need assistance in making their dreams come true, which the Firm helps to do by using seasoned judgment, giving sound legal advice and providing the basis for leadership by outlining a proven course of action. The Firm recognizes that the legal field is a service industry. Its goal for each client is to deliver sound legal advice and a level of service that meets and exceeds their highest expectations on every assignment. This is the philosophy that has helped the Firm survive through the years and continue to enjoy the reputation and respect of its clients, the business community and members of the bar.

Early in the 1980's, the Firm began working with community development corporations and their governing boards. Through this exposure, the Firm gained expertise in working with government stimulus packages and programs and governmental agencies emphasizing the administration of the small business and other entities. the Firm also has experience in working with various revolving loan programs and other transactional work involving the security and collateral of loans.

In 1991, the Firm established an affiliation with the law firm of Lewis, White & Clay of Detroit, Michigan and became the first African-American owned law firm to be listed as a nationally recognized municipal finance bond lawyer firm in the history of Shelby County, Tennessee. The affiliation with Lewis, White & Clay terminated in 1998. Today, the Firm continues to successfully practice in the municipal finance area having served on the legal financing teams in various capacities for the City of Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division, the County of Shelby, Tennessee, and the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, the City of Jackson, Mississippi and others, as well as counsel to the underwriters for international, national and regional investment banking firms.

The Firm also works to help its clients finance the innovative ideas and concepts in the areas of health, educational and multi-family housing facilities through the issuance of tax exempt bonds. This method of financing provides the absolute lowest form of borrowing available in the lending industry.  In this regard, the Firm serves as general counsel to The Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board to the City of Memphis, TN.