2022 Corporate Counsel Q&A

Charles W. “Charlie” Payne Jr.

Published November 29, 2022 by Virginia Business

Hirschler Fleischer, Fredericksburg

Title: Managing partner, Hirschler Fredericksburg office

Other legal specialties: Real estate and business transactional, land use and real estate development

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Hampden-Sydney College; law degree, Western Michigan University

Family: Wife Cassie and three daughters: Mary Claire, Lyla and Libby

Career mentors: My parents, Joann Payne and Togie Payne

Favorite thing about where you live: My family has lived in the Fredericksburg area since the early 1700s, and I was born and raised here. Fredericksburg is a wonderful town to raise a family, and it continues to evolve and become one of Virginia’s fastest growing economic centers along the I-95 corridor.

First job: Cleaned and salted herring/shad for my grandfather’s commercial fishing business in Falmouth

What did you learn from your time as general counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration? At the time, I was one of the youngest general counsels to serve a Cabinet-level agency, so it was quite exciting and challenging. … It was also during the beginning of American politics’ polarization … but everyone then still worked together for the American public good (especially small businesses). My most proud moment was the regulatory creation of SBA’s New Markets Program and expansion of the SBA 7(a) loan program.  

How did you overcome opposition to Kalahari Resorts in Spotsylvania County? The Kalahari Resorts rezoning was a big win for Spotsylvania County and the commonwealth of Virginia. The park will be … a major economic stimulator for the region. … It was challenging to secure all the approvals for such an ambitious development, but the facts and financial benefits of the project spoke louder than the voices in opposition. Kalahari will be a long-term asset to Spotsylvania County.

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