Charles W. Charlie Rankin,

Charles W. Charlie Rankin,

Appellate Practice

5.0 (1 reviews)
Lexington, Massachusetts
45+ years experience
Rankin & Sultan
Updated:

Contact Information

1666 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite P-16, Lexington, MA 02420
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Bio

Attorney Charlie Rankin began practicing criminal law in 1980. He practices in both state and federal courts. Charlie’s practice focuses on representing clients in a diverse array of complex criminal matters, but he is best known for his work representing clients charged with white collar crimes, including health care fraud, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, computer or cybercrimes, financial fraud, telemarketing fraud, tax fraud, and public corruption. In recent years, he was successful in avoiding indictment for several clients who were the targets of criminal investigations. He recently won an acquittal for a client charged with fraud following a three-week long jury trial in federal court.Charlie served as a member of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Council of the Boston Bar Association. He was Chairman of the Criminal Justice Act Board established by the United States District Court from 1996 to 2009. In 1997, the Boston Bar Association awarded Charlie the Thurgood Marshall Award for extraordinary efforts to deliver legal services to the poor. In 2010, Charlie was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.Charlie has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 1991 to date, and in Massachusetts Super Lawyers from 2004 to date. In 2010, he was selected to Boston’s Best Lawyers. He has also achieved a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV, signifying “the highest level of professional excellence.” Attorney Charlie Rankin began practicing criminal law in 1980. He practices in both state and federal courts. Charlie’s practice focuses on representing clients in a diverse array of complex criminal matters, but he is best known for his work representing clients charged with white collar crimes, including health care fraud, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, computer or cybercrimes, financial fraud, telemarketing fraud, tax fraud, and public corruption. In recent years, he was successful in avoiding indictment for several clients who were the targets of criminal investigations. He recently won an acquittal for a client charged with fraud following a three-week long jury trial in federal court. Charlie served as a member of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Council of the Boston Bar Association. He was Chairman of the Criminal Justice Act Board established by the United States District Court from 1996 to 2009. In 1997, the Boston Bar Association awarded Charlie the Thurgood Marshall Award for extraordinary efforts to deliver legal services to the poor. In 2010, Charlie was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Charlie has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 1991 to date, and in Massachusetts Super Lawyers from 2004 to date. In 2010, he was selected to Boston’s Best Lawyers. He has also achieved a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV, signifying “the highest level of professional excellence.”

Practice Areas

Appellate Practice

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Boston (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Boston (2016)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Boston (2014)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Boston (2013)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Boston (2010)
  • Recognized: Appellate Practice
  • Recognized: Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Recognized: Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Recognized: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Special Focus: Appellate
  • Special Focus: Criminal Appeals

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1991

Education

  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1980

Reviews

K

Karen Kim

2 weeks ago

A Lifeline in a Federal White-Collar Investigation

When our company faced a daunting federal investigation with potential criminal charges, we turned to Charlie Rankin. His 45 years of experience, particularly in complex federal white-collar defense, was immediately apparent. He navigated the intricacies of the case with a calm, strategic mastery that only comes from decades in both state and federal courts. His deep understanding of the law, honed from his Harvard education onward, and his recognition as a past Lawyer of the Year were not just accolades—they translated directly into our favorable outcome. Charlie’s professionalism is matched by his personal dedication; he was our steadfast advocate during an incredibly stressful time.

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