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Attorney Charles “Charlie” Rankin and Attorney James “Jamie” Sultan founded our boutique criminal defense firm on June 1, 1986.  They had graduated from Harvard Law School in the same class (1980) and worked together as associates at a small criminal and constitutional litigation firm.  After each subsequently enjoyed a successful tour in private solo practice, the two reunited to join forces as Rankin & Sultan.  The partnership was inspired by a mutual passion for litigating criminal and constitutional issues. Charlie and Jamie believe that people facing the awesome power of government and the enormous pitfalls of the criminal justice system are in grave peril and must have an advocate with tremendous zeal to fight for them. So Rankin & Sultan was born—to even the playing field; to safeguard liberty, property, and sometimes life; and to champion fundamental principles of justice, equity, and human dignity.

Rankin & Sultan quickly developed a reputation for providing painstakingly diligent, thoroughly sophisticated, and extremely effective legal counsel at both the trial and appellate levels.   Catherine Hinton, who graduated from Harvard Law School in 1995, joined the firm in 1996, and became a partner in 2002.  Our attorneys practice regularly in state and federal trial courts throughout Massachusetts, as well as several administrative agencies.  We also practice regularly in state and federal appellate courts in Massachusetts and in other jurisdictions.  

The firm is one of very few Boston criminal firms listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers which “lists only the most distinguished law practices—those that have achieved the…highest levels of legal ability…[and] adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.”  Both Charlie and Jamie have received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available rating.  We have been recognized by US News and World Report as one of the best law firms in Boston for non-white-collar and white-collar criminal defense. We have also been named by that publication as one of the best law firms in the United States for appellate advocacy. Both Charlie Rankin and Jamie Sultan have been individually recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Massachusetts Super Lawyers for both non-white-collar and white-collar criminal defense. Catherine Hinton has been recognized as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly, as a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer,” and as recipient of the Paul J. Liacos Award for zealous advocacy and outstanding legal services.  

Today, Rankin & Sultan is at the forefront of the field, having forged some of the most significant advances in criminal justice in Massachusetts over the past three decades. Charlie, Jamie, and Catherine are routinely called upon to speak, teach, and counsel others, from law students to accomplished practitioners.  All three attorneys share a deep personal commitment to top quality work and compassion for every client.