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Shelton Dennis Blunt

Partner

Areas Of Focus
Commercial LitigationAntitrust and Trade RegulationHealth Care LitigationGovernment Relations and Public Policy

Dennis Blunt is an experienced trial litigator who has developed a solid reputation for guiding clients through complex legal disputes. He leads trial teams to help executives and company leaders navigate bet-the-company litigation at the intersection of business and government.

Dennis works with companies expanding into Louisiana to coordinate public-private partnerships, business incentives and government relations strategies. When economic development projects face obstacles, his strong relationships with regulators help clients find solutions that minimize reputational and operational impacts. He often represents businesses in administrative hearings and trials involving Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana Department of Insurance, and other administrative boards and commissions.

Dennis’ comprehensive understanding of all aspects of business growth benefits clients across public and private industries. Clients call on Dennis to lead their defense in any commercial dispute they face, including:

  • Antitrust actions
  • Business torts
  • Casualty claims
  • Class-action defense
  • Lender liability issues
  • Licensing issues
  • Noncompete enforcement
  • Officer and director disputes
  • Provider reimbursement issues
  • Public meeting, record and bid protests

His ability to work collaboratively with regulators informs Dennis’ counsel to banking and finance clients. He also defends educational institutions against a wide range of administrative and commercial disputes, and he serves as general counsel for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Lenders and health insurers rely on his knowledge of agency expectations to develop litigation strategies and resolve difficult legal challenges.

Dennis chairs the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee and serves as vice managing partner of its Baton Rouge office.

Experience

  • Led trial team to win class-action jury verdict that state regulator was not at fault for $400 million in losses from second-largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history.
  • Guided school and athletic program officials through trial testimony to secure rejection of all claims against major university in highly publicized jury trial over multimillion-dollar sexual harassment and retaliation allegations from former administrator.
  • Secured $25 million contract for health insurer involved in bid protest.
  • Cleared environmental issues to allow Fortune 500 industrial construction company’s project to proceed by obtaining a court injunction to end a contract dispute.
  • Secured favorable settlement for manufacturer of natural gas compressors in defense against products liability claims.
  • Recovered millions of dollars for insurance company liquidator to distribute to policyholders and creditors to resolve a directors and officers suit involving mismanagement and fraud claims.
  • Reclaimed millions of dollars in claims repayment for self-insurance program and reinsurer in a complex contract dispute involving administrator fraud claims.
  • Achieved favorable settlement for national gaming enterprise to resolve state and local tax assessment disputes.

Insights

Recognition

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Litigation: General Commercial (2021-2024)
  • Antitrust, Insurance, Labor and Employment, Regulatory Investigations, Toxic Tort and Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation(2018)
  • "Lawyer of the Year" Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2022), Commercial Litigation (2014-2024), Litigation - Health Care (2014-2024), Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2014-2024), The Best Lawyers in America
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2013-2025)
  • Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation (2024)
  • Capital Region 500, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2023-2024)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Hall of Fame Inductee, Southern University Law Center (2018)
  • Most influential people in the City of Baton Rouge, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2007)
  • Forty Under 40 Award, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (2005)

Education

  • Emory University School of Law, LL.M., Litigation, 1992
  • Southern University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 1991
  • University of Louisiana at Monroe, B.A., cum laude, 1988

Credentials

  • Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

Memberships and Affiliations

Professional

  • American Bar Association, House of Delegates (2022-present)
  • National Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association – Past President
  • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel – First Vice President
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Louis A. Martinet Legal Society - Past President
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity - Fellow (2014) 
  • Louisiana State Law Institute - Council Member (2022-present)

Civic

  • Southern University Law Center - Adjunct Faculty Member (2003-2020)
  • 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Ltd. - Past President
  • Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Board of Directors - Chair (2023-present)
  • Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Board of Directors
  • Baton Rouge Area Foundation - Past Chair
  • Capital Area Finance Authority – Past Chair
  • Companion Animal Alliance - Board of Directors
  • City Year Baton Rouge – Board

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