Thomas W. Bradford

professional bio

Thomas Bradford (“Tom”) graduated with honors from the University of California in Los Angeles, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1977.

Mr. Bradford began his career in workers’ compensation as house counsel for Fremont Compensation Insurance Company. He remained at Fremont for 13 1/2 years and then went on to private practice. In 1997, Mr. Bradford and Donald Barthel established the law firm of Bradford & Barthel, promising their clients aggressive, efficient, and cost-effective representation for carriers and employers. With hundreds of years of collective defense experience, Bradford & Barthel’s 100+ attorneys across 13 offices defend our clients in workers’ compensation matters at every WCAB in California and is recognized throughout California as a leader in the defense of workers’ compensation claims.

In over thirty years of practice, Mr. Bradford has developed a phenomenal expertise in all aspects of workers’ compensation. However, he is best known for his aggressive handling of SIU cases. Mr. Bradford has received multiple convictions in multiple counties, and his reputation for taking on challenging cases precedes him.

An aggressive and dynamic individual with a proven and successful litigation track record, Mr. Bradford has nonetheless made a special effort to build rapport with everyone in the industry, including opposing counsel. His inimitable, easy-going style further assists in the expeditious and cost-effective conclusion of claims.

Education & Memberships

1977 Southwestern University School of Law (California)
Juris Doctor

1974 University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts (History, Cum Laude)

1977 State Bar of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit

Awards & Achievements

2022 Elite Lawyer