Paulette Chapman
WASHINGTON, D.C. INJURY ATTORNEY

Paulette Chapman is a personal injury attorney and partner at the law firm of Koonz McKenney Johnson DePaolis LLP

Paulette Chapman is a distinguished trial attorney and a pillar of the Washington, D.C. legal community. With nearly four decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to representing plaintiffs in complex personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. Known for her thoroughness and compassionate approach, Ms. Chapman has earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for those seeking justice against negligence and corporate wrongdoing.

Professional Excellence & Leadership

Ms. Chapman’s career is defined not only by her success in the courtroom but by her extraordinary leadership across the most prestigious legal organizations in the District. She has the rare distinction of having served as President for several major bar associations, including:

  • Council for Court Excellence (CCE): Current President (2025–2026).
  • The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC): Former President (2007–2008).
  • Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA): Former President (2003–2004).
  • The Barristers: Former President (2013–2014).

She has also served on the D.C. Bar Board of Governors (2006–2012) and currently contributes her expertise to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Public Education and Court Independence.

Education & Academic Contributions

A graduate with honors from the George Washington University Law School (1988), Ms. Chapman remains deeply involved in legal education. She is a frequent lecturer on trial skills and jury selection, serving as faculty for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and a long-time co-lecturer for the D.C. Bar’s Continuing Legal Education program.

Awards & Recognition

Paulette’s commitment to legal excellence has been recognized by peers and industry publications alike:

  • Lawyer of the Year: Awarded by the Bar Association of the D.C. (2021) and the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (2013).
  • Super Lawyers: Recognized for 17 consecutive years (2009–2025).
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2016–2023).
  • Washingtonian Magazine: Repeatedly named one of “Washington’s Top Lawyers.”
  • AV Peer Review Rating: Holds the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethical standards.

Client Advocacy

Clients often describe Ms. Chapman as a “well-seasoned” and “outstandingly talented” lawyer who goes above and beyond to “connect the dots” in complex cases. Her approach balances high-level litigation strategy with a deep sense of empathy for the individuals and families she represents.

“Paulette was professional, thorough, compassionate, always prepared and went above and beyond… I am so thankful for her knowledge and her perspective.” — Teresa G., Client Review

Education
  • George Washington University Law School 1988 (with Honors)
  • George Mason University 1976
Admitted
  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals
  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
  • United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Bar Organizations/Leadership

Council for Court Excellence (CCE)

  • Vice President (2023-present)
  • Executive Committee (2013-present)
  • Co-Chair Justice Education Committee (2019-present)
  • Chair JPS Annual Dinner Awards Committee (2013-2022)
  • Nominations Committee (2012-2024)
  • DC Jury Project report: Jury Service Revisited: Upgrades for the 21st Century – Trial Structure Committee member (2014-2015)
  • Director (2012-2013)

Superior Court of the District of Columbia

  • Member Committee on Public Education and Court Independence (2021-present)

District of Columbia Bar

  • Chair Nominations Committee (2023)
  • Board of Governors, (2006-2012)
  • Budget Committee (2010-2011)
  • Co-Chair The Development Committee for the 2009 President’s Reception Benefiting the DC Bar Pro Bono Program (2009)
  • Executive Committee of the Board of Governors (2008)
  • Chair Screening Committee (2007)
  • Nominations Committee (2005)
  • Co-Chair DC Bar Tort Law Section (2001, 2002)
  • Board Liaison to Steering Committees:

Courts, Lawyers and Administration of Justice Section (2010-2011)
Taxation Section (2008-2009)
Law Practice Management Section (2007-2008)
Tort Law Section (2006-2007)

District of Columbia Bar Foundation

  • Board of Directors (2013-2018)
  • Co-Chair Development Committee (2016-2018)
  • Chair Lawyer Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Committee (2013-2015)

Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC)

  • President (2007-2008)
  • President Elect (2006-2007)
  • Board of Directors (2002-2009)
  • Lifetime Member
  • Committee service: Nominations, Judicial Endorsements, Annual Banquet

Foundation of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia

  • Board of Directors (2016-present)

Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA)

  • President (2003-2004)
  • Co-Chair 2017 Centennial Celebration Committee (2015-2017)
  • President-Elect (2002-2003)
  • Board of Directors (2002-2004)
  • Co-Chair Litigation Committee (2000, 2001)
  • Co-Chair Golf Tournament (2001-2006)
  • Judicial Endorsements (2001-2002)
  • Served on Annual Dinner Planning Committee and Judicial Reception Committee

Women’s Bar Association Foundation

  • Host WBAF Annual Chefs Dinner for Charity (2009-present)
  • Board of Directors (2004-2010)
  • Chair Grants Committee (2008-2009)
  • Grants Committee (2007-2010)
  • Treasurer (2006-2007)

Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (DCTLA)

  • Board of Governors (1999-2003; 2008-2024)
  • Co-chair Women’s Caucus (2012-2013)
  • Member Public Education Committee (2012-2013)
  • Co-chair Public Education Committee (2005)

The Barristers

  • President (2013-2014)
  • Vice President (2011-2012)
  • Secretary (2010-2011)
  • Treasurer (2009-2010)
  • Member (2006-present)

Merit Selection Panel, United States District Court for the District of Columbia

  • Chair (2013)
  • Member (2012)

District of Columbia Circuit Court Judicial Conference

  • Invited Attendee (2008, 2010, 2012)

American Association for Justice (AAJ)

  • Member (1989-present)

American Bar Foundation, DC Fellows (2011-2015)
Washington Council for Lawyers (2010-2011)
National Crime Victims Bar Association (2008-2010)

Recent Lectures/Educational Panels

District of Columbia Bar Continuing Legal Education Program

  • Co-Lecturer: “Essential Trial Skills Series: Jury Selection” (1999-2001, 2003-2023)

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb Transition Team (2023) 

Faculty:  National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) 

  • Depositions, Trial Skills Program, Advanced Trial Advocacy Program (2003-2006, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)

Faculty:  ATLA National College of Advocacy (NCA)

  •  “Essentials of Civil Litigation” Atlanta, Georgia (2000)
  •  “Deposition College” Atlanta, Georgia (2001)
  •  “Advanced Depositions College” New Orleans, Louisiana (2007)

Guest Lecturer, George Washington University School of Law “American Jury” course (2015-2019)

Panelist, Council for Court Excellence “Changing Perceptions of Jury Service,” June CCE Board Meeting (2013)

Panelist, Washington Bar Association Judicial Council, 11th Annual Spring Symposium, “A Jury of Your Peers?” Race, Ethnicity and the Jury Selection Process (2011)

Panelist, George Washington University Law School, Career Exploration Conference (2007)

Adjunct Instructor, Catholic University School of Law: Federal Civil Procedure (1995, 1996)

Awards and Honors
  • WBA Foundation Champion Award, Women’s Bar Association Foundation (2022)
  • Lawyer of the Year, The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (2021)
  • Lawyer of the Year, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (2013)
  • Stars of the Bar Award, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (2013)
  • Washingtonian Magazine  “Washington’s Top Lawyers” – Personal Injury
  • Selected for inclusion (2007-2021) 
  • Super Lawyers Washington D.C. – Personal Injury (2009-2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America – Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiffs (2016-2023)
  • AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings