Chris Koupal
Chris Koupal is a partner at Parker Lipman, LLP, where he represents clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from automobile, trucking, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, recreational accidents, and premises liability. He also handles a limited number of legal malpractice cases arising from personal injury and wrongful death claims. Chris has practiced personal injury law in the Denver metro area for over 20 years.
Chris has been nominated to the Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in Colorado list for the last three consecutive years: 2024, 2025, and 2026. He has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the categories of personal injury litigation, medical malpractice law, and legal malpractice law every year from 2016 through 2026. He has repeatedly been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for Colorado by The National Trial Lawyers and is included in Top Lawyers in Denver's 5280 Magazine. Martindale-Hubbell recognizes Chris with an AV-Preeminent rating, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards based on a lengthy peer review process.
Chris brings a unique ability to form genuine connections with clients, juries, witnesses, and opposing counsel. His professionalism and empathy for all parties in the legal process consistently translate to successful outcomes. His practice reflects a focused philosophy built around a limited area of the law, allowing him and his team to deliver outstanding, personalized service to each client.
Chris has substantial trial experience and a track record of significant verdicts. He was part of the trial team in Bargai v. Carlson, which produced a verdict of $10,100,000 that, for many years, stood as one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Colorado. He also served on the trial team that secured a $2,020,000 verdict in a sexual assault case in Jefferson County District Court. As lead trial counsel in Wilson v. Starwood Hotels, the jury returned a verdict in favor of his client that included $100,000 in punitive damages.
Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, the largest specialty bar association in Colorado, dedicated to representing civil trial attorneys who advocate for consumer rights and public safety. He is also a co-founder and co-chair of the AAJ Ski Area Litigation Group through the American Association for Justice, and a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. He regularly writes and speaks on issues related to legal procedure, personal injury, ski accident, and medical malpractice litigation, with articles appearing in The Colorado Lawyer, Law Week Colorado, and Trial Magazine.
A Colorado native, Chris graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he served as a member and general editor of the Denver University Law Review. During law school, Chris also served as an extern to The Honorable Wiley Y. Daniel, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
Chris has a longstanding commitment to giving back to his community. He served as a volunteer coach for Buddy Werner League, a recreational youth ski racing program in Eagle County. For over a decade, Chris served on the Board of Trustees for Havern School, a school for children with learning disabilities in Littleton, Colorado, including several years as Board Chair. He enjoys travelling and spending time outdoors camping and skiing with his wife and their three children.
Featured Articles
- New Hires and Partners at Hall Estill, Parker Lipman, Haynes and Boone, Recht Kornfeld - Law Week Colorado
- Denver Lawyer Chris Koupal Explains the Rules of the Slopes - 5280 Magazine - Denver’s Top Lawyers 2017
- Denver Post - School Defends Itself in Suit
- Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Fountain Teen’s Death - Krdo News, Colorado Springs
- Mother Says Cop Killed Her Naked Son - Courthouse News Service
- German Man Files Suit Over Snowmass Snowboarding Accident - Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Awards