Mr. Bartel’s practice includes federal and state taxation, estate planning, employee benefit and executive compensation planning, (including ERISA and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation matters) for businesses, non-profits and governmental entities, business planning for professionals, charitable organization formation and tax exempt status issues, business entity formation, organization and reorganization.
Derek represents clients in a wide range of civil lawsuits and helps his clients solve problems.
A particular area of focus for Derek is federal-court litigation. Prior to joining Cantey Hanger, Derek served for three years as law clerk to the Honorable Terry R. Means, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. Derek currently serves on the Court Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Derek is also an appellate practitioner, having argued numerous cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Other areas of emphasis within Derek’s practice include qui tam litigation under the False Claims Act, insurance-coverage litigation, contract disputes, construction-related litigation, and serving as de facto general counsel for small businesses and organizations.
Mary Barkley’s practice includes representation of corporate clients, developers, individuals and governmental entities in real estate transactions and disputes, including eminent domain and condemnation, lease disputes, general property disputes, and constitutional rights litigation, both at trial and on appeal.
Ms. Barkley is the Chair of the Firm’s Appellate Section and is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
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
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.