CHARISSE HINES LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founding Member and Principal Attorney
Charisse L. Hines has dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Political Science from Baylor University and Old Dominion University, respectively. At Baylor University, Ms. Hines served as chapter president of the American Chemical Society. At Old Dominion University, Ms. Hines served on the student senate and was inducted into the Golden Key International, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.
Ms. Hines obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond, where she served on the University of Richmond Law Review, was chapter president of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, and a board member of the Black Law Students Association. Additionally, Ms. Hines completed a summer abroad at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Ms. Hines also obtained her Master of Laws in Taxation from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in the Spring of 2023.
Ms. Hines is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Hines is a member of the Alexandria Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Law Sections of the District of Columbia and Virginia Bars, the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys Association, and is active with the Alexandria Small Business Development Center. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Hines assisted the United States Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Office of Disaster Assistance as an Attorney-Advisor with helping small business and individuals get the relief that they needed to continue to remain and thrive in business. She also briefly served as a Grants Management Specialist in the SBA's $16 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and awarded millions of dollars to the performing arts industry.
Ms. Hines is a native of Houston, Texas. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and singing.
Job Titles:
- Senior Litigation Associate
David B. Vermont earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Binghamton University in New York state. He attended Fordham University School of Law and graduated in 1996.
After graduation from law school, Mr. Vermont started his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. As a prosecutor, he handled all types of misdemeanors and felony cases. He remained a prosecutor until 2000.
After a short stint, as a tort defense attorney in New York, Mr. Vermont moved to the District of Columbia Metro Area and joined one of the country's premier plaintiff's firms where he specialized in Federal Multi-District Litigation working on product liability cases involving pharmaceutical drugs and medical device cases. He has extensive experience leading all aspects of discovery and trial.
Mr. Vermont joined Charisse Hines Law in 2022 to assist the firm with litigation matters. Though he specializes in litigation, Mr. Vermont has experience in transactional work and enjoys the opportunity to explore new areas of law.
Mr. Vermont enjoys reading, writing, and playing golf.
Jordan A. Reynolds joined Charisse Hines Law in the Spring of 2023 as a Legal Assistant. He is a native Houstonian with a 10-year background in customer service.
He enjoys food, nature, and independent journalism. He hopes to gain recognition as a respected journalist in the coming years.
Ray Aust has Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University. Mr. Aust obtained his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University, where he competed in the Giles Sutherland Rich Intellectual Property Moot Court Competition and was the student IP moot court director.
Mr. Aust is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and New York, is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and admitted to practice in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition to patent preparation and prosecution, Mr. Aust has worked on litigation matters in a variety of jurisdictions, including the Eastern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the International Trade Commission.
Mr. Aust has experience from an international law firm, in-house counsel, and consulting industry perspective and has worked with clients in the United States, Europe, and Asia, including living in Japan for a year.
Mr. Aust lives in Annandale, Virginia. He is an avid woodworker and enjoys working on and riding motorcycles.
William H. Jackson is a 2022 graduate of Washington and Lee University with Bachelor of Arts in History, with an emphasis in American History. He has an interest in the legal profession and plans to attend law school in the near future. Mr. Jackson aspires to become an intellectual property lawyer in the future, helping to foster innovation and creativity for the benefit of the public. Mr. Jackson really enjoys reading, writing, editing, and teaching - hoping later in life to become a professor and teach American History at the Doctorate level.
Throughout his time at Washington and Lee University, Mr. Jackson lettered on the Varsity Football Team, helping the team secure their first conference championship in four years. Mr. Jackson, while attending Washington and Lee, took up a leadership position for his Greek social and philanthropic organization, being elected his sophomore year. Mr. Jackson also really enjoys giving back to his community. Whether that be through volunteering for the local SPCA, or providing meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic at his local church, he consistently attempts to assist the less fortunate.
Mr. Jackson joined Charisse Hines Law in the summer of 2022 as a Legal Assistant. He was quickly promoted to Paralegal due to his aptitude and quick learning abilities. Upon graduation from Washington and Lee University, Mr. Jackson, a native Virginian, took a leap of faith and moved to Washington, D.C., where he currently resides. Outside of work, Mr. Jackson really enjoys his time in the outdoors, constantly hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. He also appreciates reading books, working out, and cheering on the Washington Commanders