Charles T. Staples

Chuck Staples grew up in Auburn, Alabama, where he was educated in the local public schools. He received his Bachelor of Science from Washington and Lee University in 1967 and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, in 1971 from the University of Georgia, where he was on the Georgia Law Review and was admitted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Chuck has been with the firm since 1971.

His areas of practice include corporate and business organizations and related areas, entity selection/formation, estate planning, and probate. He provides estate and tax planning advice for individuals, including the preparation of wills, trusts, family partnerships, and various charitable planning techniques. Chuck also represents small and family-owned businesses as well as a number of physician groups. He advises these clients on the best form of entity from a tax, liability, and operational standpoint; entity formation; and continued representation on matters such as buy-sell agreements, contracts, leases, real estate transactions, commercial financing, retirement plans, and other matters related to the operation of a business.

Outside of the law practice, Chuck has been active in civic activities and serving as President of the Columbus Lawyers Club, Chairman of The Brookstone School Board of Trustees, President of Girls, Inc. of Columbus, President of Big Eddy Club, and on several charitable and civic boards.

Recognition

•Top Lawyers, Trusts & Estates, GaBiz Magazine, 2026
•The Best Lawyers in America , Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers; 2006-2026
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Lawyer of the Year, Trusts and Estates, Columbus, GA; Best Lawyers; 2019

In the Press

27 HBS Partners Recognized as 2026 Top Lawyers by GaBiz Magazine

January 29, 2026

Hall Booth Smith is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s partners have been recognized as 2026 “Top Lawyers” by GaBiz Magazine in its Winter issue.