About Michael J.
Michael J. Chaloupka took a steady, practical route into the law. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Finance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2012. He then pursued a J.D. at Santa Barbara College of Law, finishing in 2017. Those years frame a path that moved from business training into courtroom work.
After law school he began practicing in California. He is admitted to practice in the state and has worked on civil matters that touch ordinary people’s lives. Early work involved case preparation and client counseling. Over time he shifted toward personal injury work, a field that blends negotiation, investigation and courtroom advocacy.
Chaloupka’s daily practice centers on personal injury claims. He represents people who have been hurt in car collisions, slip-and-fall incidents, and other accidents. He spends time drafting pleadings and motions, taking and defending depositions, coordinating with medical experts, and preparing evidence for trial. He handles settlement negotiations and alternative dispute resolution as well as litigation when cases proceed to court.
Colleagues describe his approach as methodical. He breaks down complex medical and financial records into clear points for juries and insurers. He is comfortable guiding clients through the practical steps of a claim, from intake interviews to final resolution. In court he aims to present facts plainly and let the evidence speak. Outside of hearings he focuses on assembling the paperwork and expert testimony that underpin a claim.
He practices at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc., where he works in the firm’s offices and manages a caseload that spans the region. That setting gives him steady exposure to trial work and negotiation. It also demands attention to deadlines and an ability to coordinate with experts, adjusters and opposing counsel.
Chaloupka’s background in finance informs how he evaluates economic losses and structures damages arguments. That training intersects with his courtroom work when documenting lost earnings, medical expenses and long-term care needs. He continues to handle personal injury litigation and claims in California, representing clients at every stage of the process.
