Charles W. Lanehart Jr.

Charles W. Lanehart Jr. has been a dedicated legal professional at Chappell, Lanehart & Stangl, P.C. since 1977, following his graduation from Texas Tech University School of Law. Specializing in Criminal Law, he holds board certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Charles has made significant contributions to the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), serving as a former director and co-organizing the annual Declaration of Independence readings. He is also an active member of TCDLA’s ethics committee. For his exceptional service, TCDLA recognized him with the President's Commendation for "Outstanding Service to the Citizen Accused" and the President's Award for his role in the TCDLA's Strike Force.

In Lubbock, Charles is a charter member and former president of the Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. His leadership extends to serving as director of the State Bar of Texas, District 16, and as president of the Lubbock Area Bar Association (LABA), where he was the founding editor of the LABA's monthly publication, The Lubbock Law Notes.

Charles is a founding member of the South Plains Trial Lawyers Association and a life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. His writings on legal history have been featured in TCDLA’s Voice for the Defense, HCCLA’s The Defender, Lubbock Law Notes, and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's “Caprock Chronicles.”

In recognition of his impact, the Lubbock Area Bar Association awarded him the Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2018, and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal named him among the “200 Most Influential People in the History of Lubbock” in 2008.