Attorney Kala Chapalonis

Kala Chapalonis understands what it means to have your life change in an instant. After facing significant medical challenges as a teenager, she learned firsthand how quickly life can become uncertain – and how important it is to have someone in your corner. Today, she brings that perspective to her work advocating for people who have been injured.

A Life-Altering Shift

Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, Kala was a four-season athlete until a medical condition changed everything. Before she turned 17, she underwent nine hip surgeries, including two full hip replacements. The sudden transition from starting soccer player to spectator reshaped Kala’s identity and taught her how to persevere when “the going gets tough.”

A school advisor placed Kala in an advanced U.S. Constitution course when her health prevented her from participating in gym class. It was there, debating the evolving nature of the law, that Kala found her true calling. She saw how poverty and substance use were impacting families and the social fabric of her hometown and wanted to advocate for the voiceless within the criminal justice system.

During her undergraduate years at Western New England University, Kala’s drive to represent others was evident as she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Law & Society while serving in key leadership roles, including Vice President of the Student Senate and President of the Mortar Board National Honor Society.

This momentum carried into law school, where Kala graduated cum laude and sharpened her litigation skills as a member of the American Association for Justice Trial Team. As a certified student attorney, she defended marginalized clients and acted as a mediator for families in crisis. Kala’s dedication to helping vulnerable populations was further reflected in her time protecting youth legal rights as a legal intern for the Department of Children and Families and the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Youth Advocacy Division.

Fierce Advocate for Those Who Need It Most

Kala’s legal career has been defined by her commitment to helping underserved communities. As a trial attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Massachusetts, she represented indigent clients and youth in complex criminal proceedings. Whether in District, Superior, or Juvenile Court, she managed high-volume caseloads with a focus on client-centered outcomes. She also formalized and managed an intern recruitment and training program with Western New England University School of Law to help solve the counsel crisis that the Public Defenders Division of Public Counsel Services was experiencing.

At James Scott Farrin, Kala brings her litigation experience and personal perspective to representing injured people. Having experienced life-altering medical challenges herself, she understands how an unexpected injury may affect far more than a person’s physical health. She knows that helping a client try to recover what they have lost during a difficult time is about more than just a potential settlement; it’s also about standing by their side, giving them hope for the future, and helping restore their dignity.

Kala believes thorough preparation can make a meaningful difference in a case. Her “leave no stone unturned” mantra reflects her commitment to understanding the details and giving each client’s case careful attention. Her clients’ relief and restored hope are reminders of why she works so hard.

Beyond the Courtroom

When she isn’t in the office or courtroom, Kala enjoys exploring local markets and coffee shops, hiking through outdoor spaces, and trying out new restaurants. She also remains dedicated to community service, having volunteered as a mentor for aspiring law students and supported initiatives for literacy and mental health awareness in Massachusetts. Settled now in Morrisville, she is excited to discover ways to make a positive impact in the community.