Charles F. Coleman Jr. is a seasoned civil rights attorney who specializes in EEO law, human resources solutions, and the support of diversity and inclusion efforts in the workforce. As a former Brooklyn, NY prosecutor turned civil litigator Charles has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and his courtroom acumen is matched only by his leadership abilities, which he displays through his community mobilization and civic activism efforts.
Charles has appeared internationally on various media outlets as a legal and political analyst, writer, and orator. He has been branded as one of the brightest and most well-respected voices in conversations on law, civil rights, criminal justice, and other issues affecting communities of color. Charles gives public talks to businesses, student groups, and other organizations on law, culture, diversity, politics, and social justice issues.
Charles began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Kings County (Brooklyn, NY) District Attorney’s Office. While there, he excelled quickly and was hand-picked to join the specialized Gangs Unit where he prosecuted some of the city’s most dangerous and violent criminals in several high profile cases. For his efforts as a trial attorney and commitment to justice, Charles was awarded the 2007 Law Enforcement appreciation award for excellence and leadership in law enforcement.
Since leaving the DA’s office, Charles has transitioned to the arena of civil rights, focusing primarily on Equal Employment Opportunity Law, while helping to advance the conversation on race and culture. He also supports private businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in their efforts to further the interest of diversity while creating more inclusive and culturally competent workspaces. Charles encourages companies to view diversity as a strategy for sustainable recruitment and retention of top talent, the optimization of productivity, and a bridge to greater conversation for better understanding between us all.
In keeping with his focus on civil rights, Charles has also leveraged his powerful voice to speak out in addressing issues related to social justice. Because of his unique perspective as a former prosecutor, Charles is able to speak intelligently and informatively about criminal justice matters in a way that is clear and communicates concepts in a simple and straightforward fashion. This has made him one of the most coveted contributors across television, radio, and web media outlets on an array of topics related to law, race, politics, culture and community.
Charles F. Coleman Jr. is a seasoned civil rights attorney and legal analyst. He has quickly emerged as one of one of strongest thought leaders and modern voices in today's conversation on race, law, culture, politics, social justice, and civil rights. Charles began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Kings County (Brooklyn, NY) District Attorney’s Office. While there, he excelled expediently and was hand-picked to join the Specialized Gangs Unit, where he prosecuted several of the city’s most dangerous high-profile criminals.
As a former Brooklyn, NY prosecutor turned civil litigator, Charles has a litany of experience in the courtroom. His trial acumen is matched only by his leadership abilities, in which he displays his community mobilization and civic activism efforts. This has earned him regular television appearances on CNN, MSNBC, arise News, amongst a host of networks. He has also remitted on camera work, as a legal commentator and analyst for Fox 5 News (NY), Huffington Post Live, Hot 97 FM (WQHT-NY, 97.1fm) and a legion of syndicated media from television to radio and web outlets. His insights and positions on race and civil rights have been quoted on yahoo.com, HLN, MSNBC, New York magazine, on being a black Lawyer, and a host of other national and local NY-media outlets. Additionally, Charles is a frequent contributor to sites like theroot.com, ebony.com, Huffington Post Black Voices, the Grio, and This Week In Blackness! (TWIB!), and the Atlanta Blackstar where his opinion pieces capture new perspectives in examining issues Facing communities of color and suggest solutions that are innovative yet pragmatic While also being firmly rooted in the law. Charles’ point of view is a unique perspective and adds life to any discussion on race and culture in America and abroad.
"Managers and leaders always ask me what they can do to move the diversity needle, to get involved. My response is that it isn't about what we can do, it's about what we are willing to do. No one person has to do it all, diversity is instead a collective effort fueled by engaged and visionary leadership."