Bradford W. Irelan
Bradford W. Irelan is a seasoned trial attorney and co-founder of Irelan | Stephens, PLLC, based in Houston, Texas. With over 30 years of experience, he has tried more than 85 jury cases and handled over 40 appeals in both state and federal courts, earning a reputation as one of Houston’s most respected litigators .
Mr. Irelan’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, particularly in real estate and title insurance disputes. He is board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Residential Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His notable appellate victories include cases such as CBS Outdoor, Inc. v. Potter and PKG Contracting, Inc. v. City of Mesquite, demonstrating his skill in both trial and appellate courts .
He earned his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in 1986 and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1983 .
Mr. Irelan is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court .
He is a frequent speaker on litigation and insurance law topics and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer from 2008 to 2024 .
Credentials
Education
- JD, 1986, George Washington University
- BA, 1983, Magna Cum Laude, University of Tennessee
Court Admissions
- All Texas State Courts (State Bar No. 10411550)
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas (since November 7, 1986)
- Houston Bar Association, Member, Litigation Section
- Houston Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- American Land Title Association, Member
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Texas Land Title Association, Member
- American Land Title Association, Member
- Texas State Bar College
Professional Highlights
- 2008-22, Recognized as a SuperLawyer by Texas Lawyer
- 2010-22, Voted a Top Attorney in Texas Civil Litigation Defense
- 2013-22 H Texas Magazine Top Lawyer
- AV Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating for ethics and ability)
- Texas Department of Insurance certified continuing education provider
- George Washington School of Law Alumni Board of Directors
Successfully upheld summary judgment in favor of client precluding lien claim. Carmel Financial Corp., v. Juan Castro et al., No. 14-15-00478-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2016)
Successfully affirmed summary judgment in client’s favor on a bona fide purchaser defense. Cohen v. NewBiss Property, L.P., No. 01-13-00233-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2015 (Pet. Granted)
Successfully upheld jurisdictional defense for client. Special Industries, Inc., v. Zamil Group Holding Co., et al, No. 13-20231 (5th Cir. 2014) (Cert. Denied)
Successfully upheld $1 million jury trial verdict in client’s favor in breach of contract case. CBS Outdoor, Inc. v. Potter, No. 01-11-00650-CV, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 645 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24, 2013, pet. pending)
Successfully overturned a trial court judgment in favor of plaintiff and obtained a rendered judgment for insured homeowner. WMC Mortgage Corp. and Darrell Turner v. James and Dorothy Adams, No. 14-06-00671-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] July 3, 2008)
Successfully overcame City’s effort to prevent contractor from pursuing $1 million claim based on sovereign immunity. PKG Contracting, Inc. v. City of Mesquite, 197 S.W.3d 388 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam)
Successfully affirmed trial court dismissal of plaintiff’s lien claim. Patterson v. Holub, 264 S.W.3d 180 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. denied)
Successfully reversed trial court judgment in tenant’s favor and rendered judgment in client’s favor on dispute. Hong Kong Dev. Inc. v. Nguyen, 229 S.W.3d 415 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.)
Successfully overturned court order compelling insurer to take action. In re Foremost County Mut. Ins. Co. and Jim Doland, 172 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2005, orig. proceeding)
Successfully affirmed a trial verdict declaring client was not liable to plaintiff. Aquaduct, L.L.C. v. McElhenie and North American Mortgage Co., C.A. No. 14-02-00708-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] Sept. 9, 2003)
Successfully affirmed trial court dismissal of plaintiff’s claims against principal of school by teacher. Miller v. Galveston/Houston Diocese, A.M., 911 S.W.2d 897 (Tex. App. – Amarillo 1995, no writ)
Successfully overturned trial court summary judgment in favor of defendant and rendering judgment in client’s favor on lease dispute. Potter v. Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc., No. 01-07-00578-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2011)
Successfully affirmed trial court judgment in client’s favor on lease dispute. Nat’l Adver. Co. v. Potter, 2008 WL 920338 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. denied)
Successfully affirmed directed verdict at trial in client’s favor on partnership dispute. Evans v. Wilkins, No. 14-00-00831-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] Nov. 1 2001, no pet.) (not designated for publication)
Successfully overturned trial court summary judgment in insurer’s favor. Mejia v. Famers New World Life Ins. Co., No. 01-99-00307-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 17, 2000, no pet.) (not designated for publication)
Successfully affirmed zero verdict received in jury trial in case brought by tenant against landlord client for wrongful eviction. Moyer v. Rosenzweig, No. 14-94-00481-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] June 1, 1995, no writ) (not designated for publication)
Successfully overturned garnishment judgment against client investment firm. Shearson Lehman Bros. v. Resolution Trust Corp. as Receiver for Sandia Fed. Sav. Ass’n, No. 05-93-00527-CV (Tex. App. – Dallas Feb. 23, 1994, no writ) (not designated for publication)
Successfully reversed and rendered judgment in favor of client on claims by supplier. Am. Gooseneck, Inc. d/b/a AG Prods. v. Watts Trucking Serv., Inc., No. 97-50969 (5th Cir. Sept. 16, 1998) (unpublished opinion)
Successfully affirmed judgment in favor of title company client on claim opposing discharge in bankruptcy of debt from fraud. Old Republic Title Ins. Co. v. Wright (In re Wright), C.A. No. H-03-1837-CV (S.D. Tex. Feb. 13, 2004) (bankruptcy appeal)
- Changes to the Mechanic’s Lien Statute, TLTA Institute (2021)
- Is Fraud the Least of Your Worries?, TLTA Institute (2020)
- Mortgage Fraud, TLTA Institute (2020)
- Constitutional Lien Claims, TLTA Institute (2019)
- Masters in Trial, ABOTA (2018)
- Equitable Subrogation, TLTA Institute (2018)
- Expungement of Lis Pendens, HBA Real Estate Section (2017)
- Escrow Liability and Fiduciary Duty, Texas Land Title Association (2016)
- Title Claims, Texas Land Title Association (2015)
- How to Successfully Settle Your Next Real Estate and Title Insurance Claim, State Bar of Texas (2015)
- Fee Attorneys – Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest, Texas Land Title Association (2014)
- Trial Attorney’s Perspective of Escrow Claims, State Bar Advanced Real Estate Law Seminar (2014)
- Title Insurance Claims, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company Annual Agency Conference (2001 – 2012)
- Supreme Court Update, Texas Land Title Association (2012)
- Panel Discussion on Claims, Texas Land Title Association (2011)
- Select Topics in Texas Title Insurance, Southern Title Insurance Company (2010)
- View from Outside, Claim Handling from the Perspective of Outside Counsel, Fidelity Title Insurance Group (2009)
- Resolving Tax Lien Issues and Understanding Tax Lien Foreclosures, Half Moon LLC (2009)
- When They Go to Trial and What Should Be In The File, Texas Land Title Institute (2009)
- Real Estate Fraud – What’s Hot, Texas Land Title Association (2007)
- Texas Real Estate Title Law, Problems and Solutions, National Business Institute (2003 – 2004)
- Aquaduct, L.L.C. v. McElhenie, 116 S.W.3d 438
- CBS Outdoor, Inc. v. Potter, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 645
- Evans v. Wilkins, 2001 Tex. App. LEXIS 7317
- Gary E. Patterson & Assoc., P.C. v. Holub, 265 S.W.3d 180
- Hong Kong Dev., Inc. v. Nguyen, 229 S.W.3d 415
- In re Foremost County Mut. Ins. Co., 172 S.W.3d 128
- Mejia v. Farmers New World Life Ins. Co., 2000 Tex.App.LEX…
- Miller v. Galveston-Houston Diocese, 911 S.W.2d 897
- Potter v. Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc., 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS
- Shearson Lehman Bros. v. Resolution Trust Corp., 1994 Tex. A…
- Viacom – 1-11-00650-CV – Opinion (1-24-13)
- WMC Mortg. Corp. v. Adams, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 4974
- Moyer v. Rosenzweig, 1995 Tex. App. LEXIS 1229
- Nat’l Adver. Co. v. Potter, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 2462
- Old Republic National Title Ins. Co. v. Wright
- PKG Contr., Inc. v. City of Mesquite, 197 S.W.3d 388
Board Certifications
- Civil Trial Law
- Residential Real Estate Law
Contact
Practice Areas
