Flint ’04 Relishing Life as Lawyer on Capitol Hill

By Michael Hochanadel | 11/27/2015 |

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Charles Flint '04

“Going to Albany Law School gave new meaning to the phrase ‘It’s a small world,’” said Charles Flint ’04, now Legislative Director and Counsel to Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

It was also a family affair.

Even before graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, adjacent to Albany Law School, Flint spent time in the law office of his father Keith G. Flint ’65, a member of the Law Review.

“I was attracted to law school because I wanted to be like my father,” said Charles. “He is the sharpest attorney I’ve ever met.”

His brother Paul Flint ’03 is also an attorney.

Born in Albany and raised in Chatham, where Keith practiced for 50 years—Paul manages the family firm—Charles Flint earned his B.A. in History at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia.

“I saw myself as a prosecutor and was fortunate to work as an assistant state’s attorney in Florida after law school,” said Flint. “Trying cases before juries will teach you a lot; not only about the law, but life.”

Flint next worked as an associate attorney with a private firm specializing in workers’ compensation and insurance cases. When the firm’s founding partner was elected to Congress, Flint moved to Washington, D.C. and served as Legislative Counsel to Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL 12).

All three Flints studied property with Professor Welsh.

Following a brief stint as a contract attorney after campaigning in 2012, Flint became Legislative Counsel to Rep. Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn serves as the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and makes frequent national media appearances, including Sunday shows such as “Face The Nation,” “State of The Union” and “Meet The Press.” Within six months, Flint became Blackburn’s Legislative Director and Counsel.

“I advise the congressman on telecommunications, technology and data security issues,” said Flint, who also manages her legislative aides, develops her policy agenda and drafts legislation.

“Capitol Hill is a fast-paced environment and staffers need to be able to juggle a lot of tasks,” he explained. “The schedule is fluid and sometimes changes by the minute, as dictated by world news, events in the member’s district or the logistics of getting the member to various engagements.”

Charles Flint '04 on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Thanksgiving Day 2014. Flint was traveling with a Congressional staff delegation to discuss defense policy with Israeli government officials.

Portraying working on the Hill as a privilege, Flint said, “No two days are ever the same, and you never know who you are going to meet.”

Capitol Hill may seem remote from his father’s Chatham office, but Flint feels that “Albany Law prepared me well for my career.” He said, “The students are hard workers, and that pushes you.” He suggested that “Albany Law graduates are better prepared to ‘lawyer’ than those from most schools,” noting numerous internship opportunities available in New York's capital city.

“I clerked for Judge (Joseph) Teresi and completed internships with the U.S. Attorney and New York Attorney General,” said Flint. “That hands-on experience is invaluable.”

Specifically in terms of coursework, Flint said, “I learned a lot working as Professor Francis Anderson’s research assistant,” noting that all three Flints studied property with Professor Welsh. “Also, Professor Preiser's criminal procedure classes were great,” Flint added, “I took his adjudication and 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendment Criminal Procedure classes and gained a tremendous amount.

“He also had some great stories.”