2021 Summer Associate: Charles Telk III

Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen P.C. is happy to announce that Charles Telk III has joined the firm as a Summer Associate. 

Charles is currently attending Drake University Law School where he will graduate in December with both a JD and MBA degree.

Before heading to law school, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa and worked for five years as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at Iowa firms including Gardiner Thomsen, Kuhl Phillips & Jans, Inc., and his family company, Telk Enterprises. His work experience also includes roles as a financial statement auditor, a clerkship in the Iowa House of Representatives, and as an internal control and financial consultant for a restaurant group.

While Charles enjoyed working in the accounting world, he made the decision to seek a career in the law while working as a CPA.

“I ended up being more interested in the subjective and scholarly part of the accounting field, and less so the application,” he said. “I preferred the projects that required me to research and apply, rather than just inputting, general accounting practices.”

Using his collective experience, Charles hopes to create a unique law practice for his clients.

“Because I speak ‘accounting,’ which many people find difficult to understand, I hope to provide that knowledge to clients as an added benefit to my law practice,” he said. “Plus, my extensive work as an auditor, consultant, and tax accountant provide me with insight on a wide variety of business forms, their regulations, and management. All this knowledge will allow me to understand the issues my clients face quickly and completely so that I may represent them better.”

Working with the Iowa House also provided Charles with a unique view of the legislative process. “That experience will help me to provide clients with specified arguments on statutory questions,” he added.  

During his time at Dickinson, Charles hopes to explore several different practice areas that the firm offers, such as business and tax law. “I have an affinity for business, but there are obviously several practice areas within that category. Really, that is my favorite part of business, its complexity.”

Charles was initially attracted to Dickinson Law because of its reputation as a premier business law firm. “My interest in business served as a natural pull in the direction of the firm,” he said. “I’m excited to roll up my sleeves this summer, learning all I can, and start helping clients.”

Growing up in Ankeny, Charles experienced the town’s rapid population growth firsthand, which provides him with valuable insight on the metro area. “I graduated with the last class before the district split into two high schools with separate k-12 pathways,” Charles commented. “Despite the growth, Ankeny and Iowa remains a wonderful place to call home.”

In his spare time, Charles enjoys spending time with his fiancée, reading, working out, and being active with his dog. “He’s always got a crazy level of energy, so it’s fun to help him burn it off,” he said.

About the Associate Program

Dickinson's Summer Associate Program is focused on assisting law students in advancing their careers through a variety of educational and professional experiences. Summer Associates will learn the culture of practicing within a law firm while gaining exposure to the business of practicing law. Dickinson designs its Associate Program to fit the needs and interests of each individual. If you're interested in applying for the Dickinson Summer Associates program please contact recruiting committee chair, Ted Craig. For more information on the program, click here.