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

What Is 'Res Ipsa Loquitur' In a Medical Malpractice Case?
The "res ipsa loquitur" rule often comes up in medical negligence cases where the patient was harmed while sedated.
How Do I Prove Future Lost Earnings in a Personal Injury Case?
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can get compensation for future lost earnings, but you'll need to bolster this claim with detailed evidence.
Collecting a Car Accident Settlement or Judgment
Reaching a settlement or getting a judgment in your favor is one thing; getting paid could be a different story.
Tips for Taking Car Accident Scene Photos
What should you do to preserve visual evidence for your injury claim or lawsuit?
What You Should Know About Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Car Insurance Claims
PIP insurance will cover some of the costs of your car accident injury, no matter who was at fault. Learn more about how it works and whether you need it.
What If You Slip and Fall on Government Property?
After a slip-and-fall accident on government-owned property, any injury claim you make will be governed by strict procedural rules.
Understanding “Intervening” and “Superseding” Causes in a Personal Injury Case
When could bad luck, an act of nature, or a third party’s carelessness derail your personal injury claim?
Types of Bicycle Accidents
When bicycles and vehicles collide, it's often in fairly predictable traffic scenarios.
What Happens When Dogs Hurt or Chase Livestock?
Farmers and other livestock owners may legally kill dogs that are chasing or attacking their animals, and the dog owners are responsible for any damages to the livestock.
California Dram Shop and Social Host Liability Rules
When an intoxicated person causes an accident in California, can a third party be liable for providing the alcohol?