Michael Ackerman’s practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation.  He has broad experience in both state and federal court with litigation involving general business disputes, contract disputes, fiduciary litigation, covenants not to compete, and fraud, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Michael graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the Law Review editorial board and worked with the Federal Appellate Litigation Clinic, in which he represented clients seeking asylum in the United States.  Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable John H. McBryde of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  He joined Cantey Hanger’s litigation section in 2020.

Litigation
Commercial Litigation
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2019
University of Georgia, B.A., magna cum laude, B.S.Ed., magna cum laude, 2014
mackerman@canteyhanger.com
(817) 877-2853
(817) 877-2807
600 West 6th Street, Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Served as federal law clerk.
Researched and drafted numerous pleadings and motions in state and federal court, including successful dispositive motions.
Negotiated favorable settlements for variety of clients.
Drafted writ of mandamus that was granted by state court of appeals.
Competed in several international moot court competitions.
Licensed to practice in the States of Georgia and Texas
Admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Prepared and taught two CLE classes: Overview of NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) in September 2022 and Changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct in August 2021.
Represented low-income client pro bono in uncontested divorce case through Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services.
Helped coordinate networking and community service events through United Way’s Emerging Leaders United program.

Michael Appleman is a former Managing Partner and a former Chairman of the firm’s Business, Tax and Estates Section. He has helped clients plan their estates, and probate the wills and administer the estates of clients’ family members, since joining Cantey Hanger in 1993. Mr. Appleman also has significant experience with court-ordered guardianships. And, Mr. Appleman has formed, established, and secured charitable recognition for several non-profit organizations

Estate Planning
Trusts & Estates
Tax
The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1993)
The University of Texas (B.A. (Plan II Honors), 1990)
mappleman@canteyhanger.com
(817) 877-2803
(817) 333-2903
600 W. 6th St., Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Marital property planning, including the preparation of pre-nuptial agreements
Estate and gift planning, including the preparation of wills and trusts and other, related documents that help reduce estate, gift, and other transfer taxes
Lifetime planning, including the preparation of powers of attorney and directives to physicians (living wills)
Representation in guardianship matters, including as court-appointed guardian ad litem and attorney ad litemh
Representation of executors and administrators in the administration of decedents’ estates, including the probate of wills, will contests, and the preparation of federal estate tax returns
Representation of estate and trust beneficiaries
Representation of trustees in connection with the administration of trusts, including the interpretation and construction of trust provisions, the appointment or removal of trustees, trust accountings, and trust-related litigation
Client counseling regarding the formation, operation and transfer of family business ventures, including
Formation, recognition, and representation of non-profit and charitable organizations
Licensed to practice law in Texas, 1993
State Bar of Texas
Tarrant County Bar Association
Tarrant County Probate Bar Association
The North Texas Community Foundation, Board of Directors
Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors
Trinity Valley School Alumni Association, Board of Directors
Listed in Best Lawyers in America Woodward/White, Inc. in Trusts and Estates and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Recognized in Fort Worth Inc. Magazine for being a “Top Attorney” in Probate, Estates and Trust
Recognized in 360 West Magazine for being a “Top Attorney” in Wills, Trusts, Estates and Probates
Tarrant County Bar Association Brown Bag Seminar Series – Nov 2011 “Probate for the Non-Probate Attorney: Legislative Update – 2011”
State Bar of Texas – Paralegal Div., Texas Adv. Paralegal Seminar (TAPS) – Oct 2011 “Legislative Update – 2011”
United Way of Tarrant County – Apr 2011 “Blueprint for Board Service”

Robert was born and raised in Fort Worth. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and his law degree from St. Mary’s University. Upon graduation from law school, Robert began his legal career at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office where he spent two years trying many types of criminal cases. Turning his attention from criminal law to civil trial law after leaving the district attorney’s office, Robert spent 11 years at Cantey Hanger and left to form his own firm for 22 years. Robert has now returned to Cantey Hanger.
Throughout his legal career, Robert has tried many different types of cases including those involving death, serious bodily injury, commercial fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, real estate disputes as well as condemnation matters. Almost exclusively, he has represented plaintiffs in these matters including groups of plaintiffs. In addition to the above, Robert regularly represents individuals who find themselves in need of a divorce – normally cases involving substantial marital estates – and has tried a number of these cases to juries in Tarrant and other counties.

Commercial Litigation
Fiduciary Litigation
Family Law
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
B.B.A., 1975
St. Mary’s University
San Antonio, TX
Juris Doctor, 1978
raldrich@canteyhanger.com
(817) 877-2833
(817) 877-2807
600 W. 6th St., Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Throughout his legal career, Robert has tried many commercial and fiduciary cases including the representation of plaintiffs in securities matters, estate and will contests, fraud claims, DTPA claims, and many types of construction issues.  His family law practice includes cases involving substantial estates with complex legal issues.  Robert also handles personal injury claims involving serious bodily injury as well as death cases.

Robert has been active in the legal and civic communities and, since 2006, has served as a board member, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Tarrant County Bar Association.  For the 2011-2012 bar year, Robert served as President of the Tarrant County Bar Association.  He has been elected to various boards, associations and legal foundations and continues to be active in them. Robert is board certified in both personal injury and civil trial law and speaks on these subjects.
Licensed by the State Bar of Texas on November 6, 1978
Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Federal Claims, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Certification in Civil Trial Law, 1998
Personal Injury Trial Law, 2000
American Board Of Trial Advocates
American Civil Liberties Union
American Inns Of Court, Emeritus, Eldon B. Mahon Inn
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
State Bar of Texas, District 7 Director, 2012-2015; Member: Litigation and Family Law sections
Charter Fellow, Tarrant County Bar Foundation
Tarrant County Bar Association
President, 2011-2012
President-Elect, 2010-2011
Vice President, 2009-2010
Secretary/Treasurer, 2008-2009
Board of Directors, 2006-2008
Chair, Election Committee, 2004-2005
Chair, Mentor Committee, 2006-2008
Tarrant County Family Bar Association

Honors:

Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2019 Edition by Woodward/White, Inc. in Commercial Litigation and Family Law
“Best” Lawyers, “Super” Lawyers, Texas (2003-2019)
“Distinguished” Lawyers And “Pre-eminent” Lawyers In Various National, State, Regional and Local Periodicals.
Recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer” in General Litigation by Texas Monthly Magazine in the special September/October issue, 2018-2021.
Recognized in Fort Worth Inc. Magazine for being a “Top Attorney”.
Author, Speaker & Panelist

Numerous Seminars And Workshops On Trial Practice