Charles is a graduate of the University of Toronto Law School and also has an undergraduate degree in political science from Queen’s University in Kingston, and a Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia. He was called to the bar in British Columbia in 1992.

Since his call, Charles has principally represented trade unions. Following his call he was counsel to a large construction union, following which he was counsel for the B.C. Labour Relations Board, appearing on behalf of the Board on judicial review applications, including appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Charles joined Fiorillo Glavin Gordon in 2001 and became a partner the next year. He represents a wide variety of unions in many sectors of the economy. He has experience in representing unions before labour boards, arbitration boards, human rights tribunals, other administrative tribunals and all levels of court.

Charles has frequently lectured on labour and human rights matters for the Continuing Legal Education Program, Insight Conferences, Lancaster House and various other groups. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers and is a member and past president of the Canadian Bar Association Labour Law Section.