Michael Arthur Chagares (born May 1, 1962) is an American lawyer who has served as the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit since 2020.

Chagares received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in 1984 and his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1987.

Chagares began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Morton Ira Greenberg of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1987 to 1988.

[2] Chagares was nominated to the Third Circuit by President George W. Bush on January 25, 2006, to fill the seat vacated by Michael Chertoff, who resigned to become Secretary of Homeland Security.

[3] Chagares's nomination generated no controversy and moved unusually swiftly through the United States Senate, and he was confirmed just over two months later on April 4, 2006, by a 98–0 vote.