Charles H. Van Orden received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Syracuse University in 1973, his Master’s Degree in Education from Syracuse University in 1975, and his Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 1978.

He began his legal career working for the Texas Department of Corrections in the Staff Counsel Division, and then became the Assistant Agency Attorney for Harris County Child Welfare in 1979. He left Houston in 1982 to work for Legal Aid in Belton, Texas. He later worked as an Assistant County Attorney and an Assistant District Attorney in Bell County before going into private practice in 1990.

Mr. Van Orden primarily practiced in the area of family law and in 1995 became Board Certified by the State Bar of Texas as a specialist in family law. He has maintained that certification through 2025.

In 2001, Charles Van Orden was appointed as an Associate Judge in Bell County for a family law court, serving 18 years until retiring in 2019. One of his most honored recognitions was the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

From 2002 to 2015, he also taught Business Law as an Adjunct Professor at Tarleton State University for thirty-nine consecutive semesters.

In January 2023, he opened his own office in Houston, which was temporarily closed due to medical reasons. After healing and treatment, he reopened his Houston office in July 2025 with a renewed commitment to offering affordable legal care to those facing family law disputes.

With his extensive experience and dedication to the law, Charles Van Orden provides quality legal services when people need them most.