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James H. Chalat

Chalat Hatten & Banker PC

48 years of experience
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability
Colorado, Michigan

Badges

Claimed Lawyer ProfileResponsive Law

Biography

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.

Practice Areas

Personal Injury: Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Medical Malpractice: Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

Products Liability: Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts

Additional Practice Areas

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

Catastrophic Injury

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Fees

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.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Colorado: Colorado Supreme Court
Since 1977

Michigan: State Bar of Michigan
Since 1983

Languages

English: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

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.

Education

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

Awards

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.

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Professional Associations