Chad Huck

Chad "C.J." Huck is a family law and criminal defense attorney with Michael B. Clayton & Associates in Santa Maria, California. Raised on a working cattle ranch in Coldwater, Kansas, he grew up around American Quarter Horses, competing in rodeo and training the colts he bred himself — a background that still shapes his connection to horsemanship today.

C.J. served 14 years in the United States Navy, including three combat deployments to Iraq with a special operations unit, before being medically retired following a traumatic injury. During his military career he earned an associate's degree from Coastline Community College and a bachelor's degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Ventura and Santa Barbara Colleges of Law and later completed intensive trial advocacy training through the National Criminal Defense College's Trial Practice Institute.

Before entering private practice, C.J. spent time with the Santa Barbara County Public Defender's Office, where he supported Specialty Treatment Courts — including Veterans Treatment Court and Mental Health Treatment Court — and advocated for veterans and individuals facing mental health challenges. He was admitted to the California Bar in May 2025.

Beyond the courtroom, C.J. serves as Board Secretary for Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, a Central Coast nonprofit that helps veterans and first responders build resilience through equine-assisted programs while retraining and rehoming retired racehorses. His involvement reflects a lifelong thread connecting his ranching roots, his Navy service, and his continued commitment to fellow veterans.