Trent Shelton

Attorney

Attorney Trent Shelton

Attorney Trent Shelton developed a desire to practice law at an early age. Growing up in a family of lawyers, he frequently saw how they can change lives for the better. Trent wanted to be a difference-maker for clients just as he saw his family members were for others. He's proud to be working at Arnold & Itkin, a firm known for making a difference for clients by getting them the best results possible.

Trent grew up in Hughes Spring, Texas. He studied business at Oral Roberts University. Here, he also played baseball, a sport that taught him some of his most important life lessons. His time as a college athlete found him competing in two NCAA Division I regional tournaments.

After he obtained his business degree with honors, Trent continued his education at Baylor Law School. As he studied law, Trent participated on Baylor's national moot court team and served as an associate editor for the Baylor Law Review. He also earned the top grade in Texas Administrative Law and Practice Court III, a course that is part of Baylor's respected Practice Court program. Trent graduated from law school Magna Cum Laude and in the top 8 percent of his class.

Trent joined Arnold & Itkin in 2020 and wasted no time getting to work. Within one day of becoming a licensed attorney, Trent was fighting in the courtroom for his clients. Just 3 days into that trial, the defendants decided to settle for the policy limits of $1 million. Within months, Trent had tried three cases to a jury. He has since handled hundreds of depositions and summary judgment motions, and he has shown time and again that he is ready to fight for his clients in court when defendants won't do the right thing.

One of Trent's focuses is maritime law, where he helps injured offshore workers recover from preventable accidents. When regular people are facing massive companies, Trent is ready always ready to fight for them no matter how difficult their situation. He knows his results can change lives, and he fights relentlessly for them.

Trent does not limit his practice to Texas; he regularly appears in state and federal courtrooms across the United States, protecting his clients' rights and interests.

When Trent isn't advocating for clients, he can be found spending time with his fiancé Tanner. He also loves to spend time outdoors and is an avid follower of the Texas Longhorns.

Education

  • Oral Roberts University, B.A., Cum Laude
  • Baylor Law School, J.D., Magna Cum Laude

Admissions

  • Texas State Bar
  • State Bar of Louisiana

Awards

  • Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch (2023-2024)

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Trent Shelton's Case Results

$9.5 Million Recovered for an Injured Oilfield Worker

Attorneys Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Trent Shelton reached a $9,500,000 settlement on behalf of an injured oilfield worker. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and needed surgeries on his back and neck due to being struck in the head by a pipe that blew off a piece of oilfield equipment. We took 35 depositions, and the defendants then chose to settle instead of facing us at trial. This settlement ensures our client will get the best medical care and that his wife and kids are taken care of for the rest of their lives.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $4,250,234.77.

$2 Million Recovered for Oil Worker Injured Using Hands-Free Device

Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Trent Shelton reached a $2 million settlement on behalf of a senior toolpusher who sustained severe back injuries using a hands-free device while working offshore. Our client was using a device that the company required; however, it did not conduct any training or research before requiring it. In addition, the company did not properly train the crewmembers on its use. Our team faced numerous obstacles throughout litigation, but in the end, we were able to hold the defendant accountable.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $900,800.00.

$2 Million Settlement for Injured Senior Toolpusher

Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Trent Shelton overcame numerous obstacles to help our client, a senior toolpusher, find justice after sustaining a life-changing injury offshore. The defendant in this case required our client to use a hands-free device without first implementing appropriate training and research into the equipment, ultimately causing our client to sustain a severe back injury that has rendered him permanently unable to provide for his family. Despite various motions filed by the defendant and bankruptcy filings, our attorneys were able to hold the defendant accountable. We are proud to have secured our client’s future with this significant settlement.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $900,800.00.

$2 Million Settlement for Wrongful Death

Our client’s daughter lost her life because of a product that was designed and marketed with defects. The family came to Arnold & Itkin for help, and attorneys Jason Itkin and Trent Shelton headed the case. After years of litigation, we forced the defendant to accept responsibility and settle for $2 million. We are proud to have helped this family get answers and see justice served.
Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $972,586.27.

$1.45 Million Recovered for Worker Crushed Against Roller Machine

Attorneys Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Trent Shelton represented a worker severely injured after being crushed against a roller machine. The accident resulted from his employer’s negligence, but they still took a hard stance that they wouldn’t pay more than $750,000. Despite that, and after a long-fought battle, the case settled for $1.45 million two weeks before arbitration was set to begin.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $694,094.35.

More Than $1 Million Recovered for Injured Longshoreman

When a vessel owner failed to adequately prepare the workspace for a longshoreman, this resulted in him sustaining serious injuries. Attorneys at Arnold & Itkin had to litigate for two years before the vessel owner would concede liability. Our firm is honored to have been able to win this case for our deserving client, securing a $1,300,000 result to help him rebuild and move forward.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $660,277.78.

$1.25 Million Recovered for Injured Railroad Worker

After a long-fought battle, Attorneys Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Trent Shelton obtained justice on behalf of an injured railroad worker. Our client suffered a concussion and required a two-level cervical fusion after another employee operating a piece of railroad equipment collided with his vehicle. The defendants attempted to hide behind the law for more than two years following the accident—trying to bar the lawsuit by claiming that they were not a FELA employer. They offered a settlement of only $130,000. Despite these challenges, we continued to fight for our client and ultimately reached a $1.25 million settlement.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $585,544.74.

$1.1 Million Obtained for Injured Drill Ship Worker

Attorneys Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Trent Shelton represented a Chief Electronics Officer who was injured while working on a drill ship offshore. His employer disregarded numerous safety policies and procedures designed to prevent such incidents; in the end, he turned to our law firm for help. Throughout the course of the case, we took many depositions and successfully reached a $1.1 million settlement before trial.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $539,170.11.

$1 Million Obtained for Oil Field Worker Who Sustained Chemical Burns

Arnold & Itkin secured a $1 million settlement for an oil field worker who suffered chemical burns when brine water spewed from a well. Although safety measures were installed to protect workers, the company man in charge of the site prevented the workover crew from using them, leading to our client's injuries. Through extensive legal work, including depositions and motions, we held the company accountable for their negligence and ensured our client received the compensation he rightfully deserved.

Attorney's fees and expenses totaled $599,267.15.

Meet the Maritime Lawyers at Arnold & Itkin

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Because maritime law is so complex and so complicated, it is crucial that you work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of how it works and who has proven themselves in similar cases before.

Related Maritime Videos
  • Arnold & Itkin has represented offshore workers nationwide and has recovered billions of dollars. Watch this video to learn how and why that matters.

  • Arnold & Itkin has achieved record-setting verdicts for offshore workers across the country, representing survivors and victims of the nation’s biggest offshore tragedies.

  • At Arnold & Itkin, our success can be traced to one core belief that we've held throughout the years: every case is personal to our team.

  • At Arnold & Itkin, we pride ourselves on giving our clients access to the best lawyers and best legal team possible. Because that's how you get the best results.

  • Our founding partners have worked together for more than a decade.

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