2014
Curtis L. Charlson
CBCB Admin / 0 Comments /Curtis L. Charlson, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft’s father, was the founding partner of the Minnesota law firm of Charlson & Marben, P.A. Prior to retirement, Mr. Charlson was admitted to practice in Minnesota. While in active practice in Minnesota, Mr. Charlson enjoyed a long and successful career as a trial attorney, in all areas of civil and criminal law, on the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Charlson consulted with the firm on selected civil litigation matters from April 1991 until his death on October 30, 2010.
Mr. Charlson began his career by serving his country in World War II in the Navy. While in the Navy in the 1940s, Mr. Charlson attended communications school at Harvard and received his undergraduate degree at Bowling Green University. He received his law degree in 1950 at the University of Minnesota. As a Naval Reserve Officer, Mr. Charlson was recalled to serve during the Korean Conflict in March 1951, where he served as a Communications Officer with the Admiral of the 7th Fleet in the Pacific. Upon his return from the Korean Conflict, Mr. Charlson served as a member of the newly formed Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps of the Navy.
Mr. Charlson moved to Thief River Falls, Minnesota and began the private practice of law in November 1959. Mr. Charlson was elected as County Attorney for four years early in his career, but for most of his practice, he was the senior member of his own law firm.
Mr. Charlson was active in the community; he was elected as the first president of the Friends of the Library, president of the Northwestern Hospital Board, Chairman of the School Board and served on the First Federal Savings & Loan board.
Mr. Charlson was a well-respected trial lawyer throughout the state of Minnesota, and was known to all for his integrity, sense of humor and humility. He frequently championed the rights of those he believed were not receiving their due in the world – especially women’s rights. For example, his tenure with the School Board, Mr. Charlson successfully brought girls’ sports to Thief River Falls.
