Bradley S. Shelts
Bradley S. Shelts is a litigator by nature and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of litigation. He is passionate about clients’ cases and represents his clients’ interests aggressively and with tenacity while practicing law ethically and with integrity. Brad understands the importance of the work that goes into successfully litigating a case, including initial case review and analysis, development of case theories and strategies, effective legal writing, and executing a litigation plan aimed at achieving a successful resolution.Brad practices in the areas of general and complex civil litigation, employment, wrongful death and catastrophic injury, insurance defense, and products liability. He represents a wide variety of clients, including individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, and other private and public entities.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Brad championed a three year battle against numerous health insurance companies to help children who were profoundly deaf in both ears obtain insurance benefits for bilateral cochlear implants. Insurers across the United States consistently denied benefits for a second implant contending the second implant was not medically necessary and was “experimental and investigational.” Brad worked with experts in the industry to prove the benefits of bilateral implants and that the device and surgery were covered under the insurance companies’ policies. Brad had a 100% success rate in helping more than 60 children throughout the United States and overseas obtain insurance coverage for their second implant. After filing a class-action RICO lawsuit against a major insurer and its parent organization, and several bad faith lawsuits in Oklahoma and Ohio, the insurance industry finally conceded and agreed that bilateral cochlear implants are medically necessary.
Brad represented the Oklahoma Department of Insurance in placing two insurance companies into receivership. The owners of the insurance companies strongly contested the Department of Insurance’s effort to shut the companies down because the owners wanted to continue to loot from the companies. Brad co-tried the show-cause hearing and proved that the insurance companies were being operated in a corrupt and criminal manner. With the owners facing criminal investigations, the insurance companies finally conceded to the Department of Insurance taking over just before the majority owner was scheduled to take the stand.ORGANIZATIONS
Brad is a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association, the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute.RECOGNITION
- Rising Star, 2008 and 2010, Super Lawyers Magazine
EDUCATION
J.D., with highest honors, University of Tulsa College of Law, 2002. While in law school, Brad received the Cali Excellence for the Future Award in Advanced Legal Writing and received first place for his closing argument in a moot court competition.
B.S. in Business Administration, Finance, Oklahoma State University, 1998.ADMISSIONS
State Bar of Arizona, 2010
State Bar of Oklahoma, 2002
State Bar of Arkansas, 2010
United States District Court, District of Arizona, 2013
United States District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma, 2002
United States District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2002
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma, 2002
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 2010
