Chad D. Shelton

Chad D. Shelton began his legal career after graduating from Valparaiso University and the Charleston School of Law. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar and the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. In 2007, Chad joined the Berkeley County Public Defender’s Office, where he dedicated nine years to defending clients in a wide range of cases, including drug offenses, traffic violations, armed robbery, and murder.

Throughout his tenure at the public defender's office, Chad handled thousands of cases and earned a reputation for his trial expertise and client advocacy. He secured numerous not guilty verdicts in cases such as criminal sexual conduct, armed robberies, and assaults. Notably, he achieved a case dismissal for attempted murder during a preliminary hearing, demonstrating his commitment to evaluating risk and achieving favorable outcomes for his clients.

In 2015, Chad further honed his skills by graduating from the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia. The following year, he established his own law office, where his private practice flourished. Chad successfully secured dismissals for charges such as murder and assault and battery by a mob, and obtained a not guilty verdict in an armed robbery case. His practice expanded to include representation in magistrate and municipal courts, where he achieved over a dozen not guilty verdicts at trial and nearly a hundred case dismissals before trial.

Recognized for his excellence, Chad was named one of the top 100 criminal defense attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers Association in 2019 and 2020. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.