Atty. Charles W. Trainor

Atty. Charles W. Trainor

Charles Trainor is the senior shareholder of Trainor Fairbrook, the AV-rated law firm that he founded in 1978. The firm includes the largest group of commercial real estate attorneys in California’s Central Valley.

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Profile Summary

About Charles W. Trainor at a glance

Charles W. Trainor is a real estate attorney based in Sacramento, California, practicing at Trainor Law. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California. Educated at University of the Pacific (—, 1977) and California State University Sacramento (—, 1973). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Charles Trainor is the senior shareholder of Trainor Fairbrook, the AV-rated law firm that he founded in 1978
  • The firm includes the largest group of commercial real estate attorneys in California’s Central Valley
  • Mr. Trainor represents clients on matters involving sophisticated real estate transactions including purchase and sale agreements, leases, partnership agreements and loan documentation
  • He also counsels lenders and borrowers regarding mortgage origination and workout matters
  • He has negotiated scores of loan and workout transactions, and advises both tenants and landlords regarding office and retail leases
  • His clientele includes developers, landowners, title companies, lending institutions, shopping center owners, property management entities and construction companies
  • His practice includes the development of master-planned communities, resort real estate and golf courses
  • Mr. Trainor represents lending institutions with respect to their real estate loans in the Central Valley
  • He has also recently represented the sellers in one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in Sacramento’s history, the sale of six office buildings and land to a Texas-based REIT
  • Additionally, Mr. Trainor also represented the buyer in the largest land purchase in Sacramento’s history
  • He also has represented the land seller/partner in Sacramento’s newest regional mall development
  • Mr. Trainor represents the owners of dozens of office buildings and shopping centers in Northern California, and currently is representing several master-planned communities in their transactional matters
  • He and the firm also represent the owners of over a dozen public and private golf courses
  • Mr. Trainor is a frequent lecturer for real estate industry associations and has taught numerous Continuing Education of the Bar courses to attorneys including Real Estate Broker Practice and Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreements
  • He has also authored a number of articles relating to real estate and construction
  • Mr. Trainor was the first attorney in Sacramento to be admitted to membership in both the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, which is an invitation-only organization of the top real estate attorneys in the nation, and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, which is an invitation-only organization of the most highly regarded real estate mortgage attorneys in the nation
  • Mr. Trainor and Trainor Fairbrook are also actively involved in the Association of Commercial Real Estate as members, and as major sponsors of its Broker of the Year event and the Trainor Fairbrook Humanitarian Award

Practice Areas Explained

Charles W. Trainor's Areas of Practice

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

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Charles W. Trainor is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Sacramento are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California 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 California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Sacramento or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Charles W. Trainor

Where is Charles W. Trainor's law office located?
Charles W. Trainor's law practice is located in Sacramento, California. The firm is Trainor Law. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Charles W. Trainor handle?
Charles W. Trainor focuses on real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Charles W. Trainor go to law school?
Charles W. Trainor earned their education at (—, 1977); (—, 1973).
How can I contact Charles W. Trainor for a consultation?
You can contact Charles W. Trainor 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 W. Trainor received?
Charles W. Trainor's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento); Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial; Best Lawyers in America — Condominiums.

Practice Areas

Education

University of the Pacific
- 1977
California State University Sacramento
- 1973

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Condominiums
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Development
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Finance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Housing
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Office Buildings
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Shopping Center Transactions
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Subdivision
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Certiorari
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Transactions
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Workouts and Restructurings
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — "AV Preeminent" Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Northern California Super Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Best of the Bar, Sacramento Business Journal
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top Lawyer, Sacramento Magazine
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento)
- 2018
Lawyer of the Year — Real Estate Law (Sacramento)
- 2011

Bar Admissions

California, The State Bar of California

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