Atty. Charles S. Baldwin IV

Atty. Charles S. Baldwin IV

Based in the Port City, Charles Baldwin uses his broad experience in cross-border transactions to advise businesses on international law, venture capital and transactional matters. He also serves as Village Attorney for the Village of Bald Head Island, providing counsel on contract, construction, environmental, municipal and regulatory issues.

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Profile Summary

About Charles S. Baldwin IV at a glance

Charles S. Baldwin IV is a international attorney based in Wilmington, North Carolina, practicing at Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP. Admitted to practice in North Carolina, United States and District of Columbia, United States. Educated at American University (MA, 1995) and American University Washington College of Law (J.D., 1993). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — International Trade and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026). Serands clients in Wilmington, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

Based in the Port City, Charles Baldwin uses his broad experience in cross-border transactions to advise businesses on international law, venture capital and transactional matters. He also serves as Village Attorney for the Village of Bald Head Island, providing counsel on contract, construction, environmental, municipal and regulatory issues.

Charles has diverse experience in international and transportation law and is recognized as one of the state’s leading attorneys in these areas. Charles represents corporations on a variety of cross-border issues, including imports, exports, cargo claims and Federal Maritime Commission matters. Charles has always had an interest in international business and cultures, and continues to be a frequent speaker on topics related to business law and international trade.

He has a diverse corporate practice, advising businesses in the technology, pharmaceutical, health care, medical device, manufacturing, port facility, and transportation industries, among others, and on a myriad of venture capital and transactional issues. He regularly counsels clients on matters related to start-ups, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. He is an angel investor and executive committee member of Wilmington Investor Network, LLC. Charles enjoys helping clients achieve their goals by solving and simplifying complex legal issues. He is a frequent speaker and writer on business law.

Charles’ unique practice includes serving as Village Attorney for the Village of Bald Head Island in North Carolina. Bald Head is the southernmost of North Carolina’s cape islands, and 10,000 of the island’s 12,000 total acres have been set aside as nature preserves. Given the island’s diverse environment, Charles counsels island leaders on the numerous environmental and regulatory issues that arise.

    Articles & Presentations

    • Moderator, “Financing Best Practices: A Series of Successes and Failures," Southeast medTech Forum, Raleigh, NC, May 2019
    • Speaker, "Structuring Cross-Border Transactions," UNCW Cameron School of Business 35th Annual Business Week, March 2019
    • Speaker, "Structuring Cross-Border Commercial Transactions: Negotiating and Drafting Key Deal Terms," Strafford Publishing webinar, December 2018
    • Presenter, "Going Global: Key Issues in International Law and Trade," UNCW Business Week, Wilmington, NC, March 2018
    • Co-author (with Ryan Fairchild), "Contracts and Dispute Resolution in Sales of Goods to US Customers," GGI Insider, November 2017
    • Presenter, "International Law & Transaction," Pamlico County/FTPC "Going Global" seminar, Oriental, NC, March 2017
    • "Everything You Wanted to Know About Import/Export Laws - But Were Afraid to Ask,", presented to the North Carolina Association of CPAs Business and Industry Spring Conference, 2015
    • "What is Crowd Funding," Legal Alert, March 2012
    • International Litigation: A Guide to Jurisdiction, Practice and Strategy, 4th Revised Edition, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2010
    • International Civil Dispute Resolution, 2nd Edition, Thomson/West publishing, 2008
    • "Practice Before the Clerk in North Carolina," North Carolina Bar Association, 2003
    • "Virtual Jurisdiction: Personal Jurisdiction Based Upon Electronic Contacts," NC Bar Association International Law Section newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1999
    • "Protecting Confidential and Proprietary Commercial Information in International Arbitration," 31 Tex. Int'l L.J. 451, 1996

    Practice Areas Explained

    Charles S. Baldwin IV's Areas of Practice

    Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Charles S. Baldwin IV handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

    International Law

    International law attorneys for cross-border transactions, trade, foreign investment, and treaties.

    Charles S. Baldwin IV is one of 40,133 international attorneys indexed nationally. Browse international attorneys in North Carolina →

    Jurisdictional Context

    Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

    Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Wilmington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

    Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Wilmington or all attorneys in North Carolina.

    Frequently Asked

    Common questions about Charles S. Baldwin IV

    Where is Charles S. Baldwin IV's law office located?
    Charles S. Baldwin IV's law practice is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The firm is Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
    What practice areas does Charles S. Baldwin IV handle?
    Charles S. Baldwin IV focuses on international. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
    Where did Charles S. Baldwin IV go to law school?
    Charles S. Baldwin IV earned their education at (MA, 1995); (J.D., 1993); (BA, 1990).
    How can I contact Charles S. Baldwin IV for a consultation?
    You can contact Charles S. Baldwin IV directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
    What awards or recognition has Charles S. Baldwin IV received?
    Charles S. Baldwin IV's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — International Trade and Finance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction.

    Education

    MA
    American University
    - 1995
    J.D.
    American University Washington College of Law
    - 1993
    BA
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    - 1990

    Awards

    Best Lawyers in America — International Trade and Finance Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Municipal Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Transportation Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Technology Law
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — Selected by his peers for inclusion in
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers in America©
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — in International Trade and Finance Law (2012-2025)
    - 2026
    Best Lawyers in America — AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
    - 2026

    Bar Admissions

    North Carolina, United States
    District of Columbia, United States

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