Charles Crain

Attorney

Charles Crain began writing freelance articles for Nolo in 2022 and became a Legal Editor later that year.

Education. Charlie holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in journalism from Northwestern University, and a J.D. from Berkeley Law. He is licensed to practice law in California.

Journalism. Charlie began his career as a freelance journalist, covering the war in Iraq for publications including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Legal training. During law school, Charlie was a member of the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic and an editor of the Berkeley Journal of International Law. He externed for a semester at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and spent a summer interning for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in San Francisco. 

Legal career. After law school, Charlie was a post-bar clerk in the Law and Motion Unit of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and then a volunteer attorney in the Misdemeanor Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. From 2015 until 2018, he worked as a litigation associate in the Silicon Valley offices of two large law firms. From 2018 until 2021, Charlie was a fellow in the Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School. He co-taught a weekly seminar and managed a docket of cases focused on First Amendment and Freedom of Information Act litigation.


Articles By Charles Crain

Missouri Dog-Bite Laws
Learn how Missouri law applies to dog owners and people who've been injured by someone else's pet.
Guide to New Jersey Dog-Bite Laws
Dog owners in New Jersey could be liable in a civil lawsuit if their animals hurt someone—but they may have legal defenses.
Taking a Dog-Bite Case to Small Claims Court
Most dog-bite disputes are settled through negotiations between the injured person and the dog owner or insurance company, but some proceed to small claims court. Here's how a typical case might unfold.
California Dog-Bite Laws
Details on when California dog owners could be legally responsible for bites and other injuries, how the state handles dangerous dogs, and more.
Texas Dog-Bite Laws
When can Texas dog owners face lawsuits or criminal charges over injuries caused by their pets?
Virginia Dog-Bite Laws
When are Virginia dog owners liable for bites, and how does the state handle dangerous dogs?
How to Get the Best Whiplash Car Accident Settlement
It’s tough to predict the amount of a whiplash settlement, but here’s what to keep in mind as you seek compensation.
New York Dog-Bite Laws
When are owners liable for bites, and what are the rules for dangerous dogs?
Indiana Dog-Bite Laws
What are the state's rules for dangerous dogs and dog-bite lawsuits?
Massachusetts Dog-Bite Laws
What are Massachusetts dog owners' legal responsibilities, and how does the state handles dangerous dogs?