James H. Chalat

I represent victims of wrongdoing in civil actions for money damages. My clients are personal injury victims and in cases of wrongful death cases, the decedents' families.

My clients are diverse. They range from a profoundly disabled son of Hispanic American farm laborers, a disabled child who was a victim of medical malpractice, and a family whose children and grandchildren were wrongful death victims in a fiery Nebraska trucking accident. Additionally, my clients have included a top level television executive, top level investors, public figures, executives, foreign nationals, and professional athletes.

My cases have included: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe orthopedic damage, blunt force trauma, and tragically, death.

For the past five years I have been listed as one of the five "Top Lawyers" in personal injury by the leading Denver Magazine, 5280. I am rated as one of the Best Lawyers in America, in personal injury. In 2017 Best Lawyers ranked me as "Lawyer of the Year," in professional malpractice. Colorado Law Week ranked me as "Barrister's Best," in 2017 and as "People's Choice," in 2018. These are all peer and client reviewed surveys, not paid membership-type phony credentials. Additionally, I am Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocacy.

University of Denver

J.D. (1977) | Law

1974 - 1977

Activities: Law Review: Administrative Law Review, Assistant Director

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

B.G.S. (1974) | History and English

1970 - 1974

Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney

Chalat Hatten & Banker PC

1977 - Current

Jim leads the firm's personal injury and wrongful death practice. Additionally, he dedicates a significant amount of time overseeing the firm's commitment to pro bono work. With partners and staff, he manages cases from first client interview through trial and/or settlement. Given his 40 years of practice, he is well prepared for trial, hearings, and depositions. He investigates cases in-person, meaning he visits and photographs the scene of an accident relevant to the client's case. Additionally, he supervises and collaborates on case management, document production, and the firm's public relations activities. Practice Areas: Car, Truck, Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents; Professional Negligence, Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice; Wrongful Death; Catastrophic Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Severe Orthopedic Injury; Skiing and Ski Lift Accidents; Recreational Accident Cases

Master Barrister

American Inns of Court, Marsh Inn of Court

1994 - 2017

An organization focused on legal ethics, professionalism, and skills improvement. Has been a guest lecturer and mentor to new attorneys.

Senior Managing Partner

Chalat Hatten Koupal & Banker, P.C.

2012 - 2016

President and Managing Partner

Chalat Hatten & Koupal, P.C.

2008 - 2016

President and Managing Partner

Chalat Hatten Law Offices, P.C.

2004 - 2008

Attorney Coach

High School Mock Trial

2005 - 2007

The Colorado High School Mock Trial competition is an annual competition involving over 50 high schools across Colorado. The state champion competes in the American Bar Association National Competition, typically held in June of each year. Jim Chalat was an Assistant Coach: Lakewood HS, 2005 & 2006 Evergreen HS, 2007 & 2008 *Regional winners (2005, 2007, 2008)State Champion (2007), 10th at Nationals (2007)

President and Managing Partner

Chalat Law Offices, P.C.

1984 - 2004

Founding Partner and Managing Partner of a six attorney trial lawyer firm.

Partner

Chalat & Co., P.C.

1977 - 1984

Represented accident victims and their families.

Ski Law in Colorado: The Timorous No Longer Stay at Home

The Colorado Lawyer

February, 2002

Ski law forBeginners, Intermediates and Experts

Trial Magazine. Journal of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America

August, 1993

Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy

National Board of Trial Advocacy

1988

Barrister's Best 2018 Personal Injury Law Lawyer

Law Week

2018

According to Managing Editor, Tony Flesor, the Barrister's Best list is "built by asking those in the community as well as relying on the accumulated knowledge of our editorial team, building what we think is one of the most reliable records of the biggest names and highest performing attorneys in each pratice area." Law Week Colorado is the state’s only newspaper published specifically for lawyers, law firms, corporate counsel and the judiciary. Law Week is written and edited by award-winning journalists and lawyers who have credibility in the legal marketplace.

2017 Best Law Firms, Tier 1 Personal Injury, Professional Malpractice Law, Products Liability

U.S. News and World Report

2017

Colorado Tier One - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs; Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. U.S. News uses a tiering system, rather than rankings. The first tier in each metropolitan area includes those firms that scored within a certain percentage of the highest-scoring firms. Results for Colorado are not broken down for metropolitan areas, but include the entire state.

Top Lawyer

Top Lawyers by 5280

2015

Top Lawyer 2015-present Jim Chalat earned his listing as a 5280 Top Lawyer for the third year in a row because of his success on behalf of clients. Jim is happy to appear in 5280 standing next to our good friend, mentor, and "of counsel," Mr. John Purvis of Purvis Gray & Thompson, LLC.

Pro Bono Achievement Award

The Supreme Court of the State of Colorado

2014

2014-2016

Best Lawyer

Best Lawyers

2013

Best Lawyers 2013-Present Very honored to be named Best Lawyers’ 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" Denver Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Only a single lawyer in each practice in each community is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

Ordine Degli Avvocati Di Tolmezzo

Unione Triveneta Dei Consigli Dell’ Ordeine, Di Udine

2007

Attestato di Partecipazione. Certificate for participation as presenter and panelist at an international conference in Tarvisio, Italy.

Super Lawyer

Colorado Super Lawyer

2006

Super Lawyer 2006-Present. Featured in inaugural issue, 2006. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Jim Chalat has been rated as a Colorado Super Lawyer since 2006 when the rating was first published in Colorado, and since 2013 has been rated among the top 100 lawyers in Colorado. Jim's determination and devotion to his clients drives this credential.

Alfred C. Harrell Award

Thompson G. Marsh, American Inn of Court

2000

In recognition of professionalism, service, and excellence.

e Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers; Rated “A/V” by Martindale-Hubble

Martindale.com

1990

1990-present The Bar Register includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field.

American Board of Trial Advocacy

Member

2013 - Current

Colorado Trial Lawyer

Member

1998 - Current

Activities: Board of Directors (1998-2002)

American Association of Justice

Sustaining Member

1980 - Current

Activities: Sustaining Member, President's Club

American Bar Association

Member

1977 - Current

Marsh Inn of Court, American Inns of Court

Master Barrister, President (2004-2005)

1994 - 2016

Faculty of Federal Advocates

Board of Directors

2009 - 2013

Colorado

Colorado Supreme Court

Since 1977

Michigan

State Bar of Michigan

Since 1983

• Free Consultation
  If you'd like a free consultation to discuss a personal injury/ski injury matter, please contact our offices at 303-861-1042.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Fees are based on the nature of the case.

• Car Accidents
• Ski Law
• Trucking Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Auto/Pedestrian Accidents

• Catastrophic Injury