2022 Mardi Gras King, Representing Unit 231

Biography of Kirk Chargois, Attorney at Law

kirk@chargoisharper.com

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Kirk Chargois was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He is a   product of the Houston public school system.  Upon graduation from Evan E. Worthing Senior High School in 1986, Kirk enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, rising to the rank and position of Sergeant & Assistant Squad Leader. 

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Upon his departure from active duty, Kirk came home to Houston and continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve as an Active Reservist. Assigned to a transportation battalion as a watercraft engineer, Kirk conducted the maintenance and operations of LCU-2000 (Landing Craft, Utility) and other Army sea-going vessels.

 

During this time, Kirk was enrolled at the University of Houston and Houston Community College, respectively, and he worked several jobs including Deputy Sheriff with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. Kirk excelled in his work at the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked for 12 years before attending law school.

 

After graduating in 2003 from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in History and a Minor in African-American Studies, Kirk began law school at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. In addition to his regular studies in law school, Kirk focused extensively on advocacy.  Kirk was very involved in law school activities, serving as a Thurgood Marshall Student Ambassador, advocate on the honor court, executive board member of the Student Bar Association, executive board member of the Christian Legal Society, executive board member of the Barbara C. Jordan Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and Graduate Assistant.  Kirk also served as a staff writer and featured columnist for The Solicitor, the student magazine of Thurgood Marshall School of Law. 

 

In his third year at Thurgood Marshall, while still taking a full course load of classes, Kirk studied for and took the Texas Bar Exam in early February.  Discovering that he passed the Bar Exam one week prior to graduation, Kirk happily graduated and departed law school as a practicing attorney beginning the work that he enjoys doing today. 

 

With his law partner Sherlyn Harper, Kirk is co-director of Chargois Harper, Attorneys, and Counselors at Law; with offices in Houston, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois. Kirk appreciates all of the lessons learned in the practice of law, the incorporation of his various skill sets, the opportunities that have been presented to him, and the struggles and successes over the past 16-plus years thus far.

 

As he manages a work/life balance, among his many extracurricular and community activities, Kirk participates in community service projects of all types. Kirk regularly does volunteer work with the Houston Food Bank and Catholic Charities, and since 1993 Kirk is a regular blood and plasma donor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

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Kirk is very involved in community service with his church, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where he is a past recipient of the Bene Merenti Award for Service. Kirk also is a former member of the Pastoral Council, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, and the Instrument of Peace Choir, among many other duties and responsibilities.

 

Kirk is a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Inc., and serves as a 4th Degree Knight in the Father John H. Dorsey Grand Assembly No. 2 and is the current Grand Knight of KPC Council #231, where he also formerly served as Junior Knight Commander of Junior Branch #231.

 

Working with our youth is one of Kirk’s driving motivations. Over his many experiences professionally and personally, he has seen how involvement in children’s lives; teaching skills not always provided at school.

 

Among his honors and accolades over the years, Kirk has:

· Been elevated to the Meritorious 4th Degree of the Knights of St. Peter Claver. Inc. and was elected Faithful  Comptroller of the Father John H. Dorsey Grand Assembly No. 2., where he served in that capacity from 2018-2020;

· Was selected Teacher of the Year at The Summit DAEP, Pasadena ISD in 2018;

· Received the Bene Merenti Award for Service to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic  Community;

· Appeared as a commentator on “Prison Wives”, a documentary series on I.D. Discovery Channel, 2010;

· Received a Community Service Award from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law   Student Bar Association, 2006;

· Distinguished Graduate and Class Spokesman – Harris County Sheriff’s Department Class B1-94, April 1994; and

was honorably discharged, having received the Army Achievement Medal; Parachutist Badge; Expert Marksman Badge; Good Conduct Medal, and Cold War Service Citation, September 1986 - August 1990 (active); August 1990 – May 1995 (reserve).

 

His most treasured time is spent with his new wife Nancy, and cooking authentic Creole dishes…especially his delicious gumbo!