E64: Charles Courtenay

Charles, the Earl of Devon, lives at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, Devon. Powderham has been the Courtenay family home since 1390, and he runs the Castle as a heritage business, sustainably managing the ancient land and buildings for social benefit while hosting all manner of visitors throughout the year. Charles is both an English Barrister and a California attorney. He practiced between 2003 and 2014 in Los Angeles, California, where he became an Intellectual Property and Technology litigator for Latham & Watkins.

Since returning with his family to England in 2014, Charles succeeded his father to the ancient Earldom of Devon, moved his practice to the law firm of Michelmores LLP, and took a seat in the House of Lords as a cross-bench hereditary peer. In the Lords, Charles focuses upon rural, agricultural, environmental, social and technology matters, and he is a passionate advocate and champion of his home county of Devon. He enjoys time with his family between the beautiful Devon countryside and in California; he surfs when he can.