Charles Smith is a partner in the law firm of Telpner, Peterson, Smith, Ruesch, Thomas & Simpson, L.L.P. His practice focuses on bankruptcy, commercial law, and debtor-creditor relations. He grew up on a farm outside of Mason City, Iowa and received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1971 and his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in 1974. He has been active in Bar Association activities at the local, state and national level. From 2000 to 2006 he served on the Board of Governors of the Iowa State Bar Association and served as Chair of its Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section from 2008 to 2011. He has also served as a Bankruptcy Trustee for over thirty-five years. He is married and has three adult children. He is active in his community having served as Mayor and on the Council Bluffs City Council. Most recently, he has served as Chair of the Iowa West Foundation, the largest philanthropic foundation in western Iowa, from 2008 through 2012.
