Awards, Credentials & Memberships
We are honored to share our achievements with you as an indicator of what you will expect from us. Individually and as a firm, we have been recognized by our peers, judges and court personnel, the community, and clients as distinguished personal injury attorneys in Colorado. The attorneys of Chalat Hatten & Banker, PC believe in leading by example: adhering to a strong core philosophy, conducting ourselves with the utmost honor, integrity, and goodwill, and applying a principled approach to the practice of law. Our established reputation as trusted leaders is also a result of our dedication to our clients, pro bono, and community. These are the values at the forefront of our practice and are reflected in the awards we have received.
U.S. News and World Report – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
The U.S. News and World Report – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer reviews from leading attorneys in the field. Firms awarded the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Out of 15,000 law firms, we have been honored with the highest rank, Tier 1 award for Colorado’s Best Law Firms in Plaintiffs’ Personal Injury Litigation since 2014. We have also been chosen as the Best Law Firm in the following fields: Professional Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs.
Martindale-Hubbell® Top Rated Lawyers
This prestigious publication evaluates attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards through a Peer Review Rating system. The verified ratings for attorneys are not only based on an attorney’s legal ability and ethical standards as judged by their peers but also based on reviews from their clients. We have been awarded the highest peer rating standard: AV Preeminent®. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, skills, and ethical standards by their peers.
Colorado Super Lawyers®
Super Lawyers® selects outstanding lawyers 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 listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in the State of Colorado by this esteemed publication every year since 2012. Russell Hatten and Linda Chalat have also been honored with numerous awards over the last decade, including Linda’s selection to the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the state of Colorado. Evan Banker has been awarded as one of Super Lawyers® Rising Stars since 2010.
Best Lawyers® in America
Best Lawyers® is one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.
- Russell Hatten has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in American since 2017 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs;
- Evan Banker since 2021 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs;
- Linda Chalat since 2016 for her work in Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs;
- And Jim Chalat since 2014 in the areas of Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Professional Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® also awards additional recognitions to individual lawyers with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Jim Chalat was named Lawyer of the Year in 2017 in the area of Colorado personal injury – professional malpractice; only one lawyer is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.
Colorado Law Week Barrister’s Best
Each year, Law Week publishes its annual Barrister’s Best list awarding the most prominent, highest performing and well established lawyers. Jim Chalat has been awarded the People’s Choice for Best Personal Injury Lawyer in 2020 and 2018, and 2017’s Barrister’s Choice Best Personal Injury Lawyer. The Barrister’s Choice list is determined by the publication’s editorial staff and attorney votes. People’s Choice winners are selected by attorneys across the state.
Top National Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 are invitation-only organizations for premier trial lawyers who meet strict qualifications as civil plaintiff trial lawyers. Jim Chalat, Linda Chalat and Russell Hatten have been listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in the region for numerous years; Evan Banker has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer. Selection is based on a multi-phase process which includes peer nominations and third-party research. Membership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.
See Jim’s Profile Page | See Evan’s Profile Page | See Russell’s Profile Page | See Linda’s Profile Page
5280 Magazine Top Lawyers in Denver
Jim Chalat has been named one of 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Denver since 2015. Evan Banker is the newest attorney to join the list of top personal injury lawyers in Denver in 2020. 5280 invites all licensed attorneys in the seven-county metro area to vote for the peers they respect most.
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Jim Chalat has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 2013. ABOTA is an invitation-only organization. Members must have at least five years of active experience as trial lawyers, have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience.
National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
Since 1988, Jim Chalat has been board certified by the NBTA. To qualify for board certification and to achieve this distinction, lawyers must have extensive experience in their specialty and meet rigorous objective quality standards. NBTA leads the field in specialty certification. Part of their mission is to recognize and promote excellence in legal advocacy through a national program certifying specialists predicated on high standards of demonstrated competence and integrity.
Colorado Bar Association (CBA)
All of our attorneys are members of the Colorado Bar Association and Denver Bar Association and licensed to practice in the state.