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Derek R. Caldwell

Chapter 13 bankruptcy Attorney at Raleigh, NC

5.0   26 reviews

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About Derek

Learn Derek’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Chapter 13 bankruptcy
    40%

    22 years, 250 cases

  2. Chapter 7 bankruptcy
    40%
    I have been practicing bankruptcy law for over ten years and am familiar with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. I am a true solo practitioner so your case will not be foisted off on my staff. You will have close contact with me and you will get the personal attorney attention that you and your case deserve. I proudly help people file file bankruptcy

    22 years, 400 cases

  3. Bankruptcy and debt
    10%

  4. Car accident
    5%
    I used to practice extensively in personal injury when I worked for one of the largest PI firms in Eastern North Carolina. Although PI is no longer a major part of my practice, I am very experienced in that area and know how to get strong recoveries for my clients.

    26 years, 250 cases

  5. Debt settlement
    5%

I was born in Fort Walton Beach Florida and moved to Chapel Hill while I was in Junior High School.  I attended Chapel Hill High School and after graduation attended UNC in Chapel Hill.  I dropped out of school and worked as a bus driver in Chapel Hill and later was a bus driver and tour guide in Yellowstone National Park for a summer.  After leaving Yellowstone, I relocated to Boulder, Colorado where I worked for several years before going back to school at the University of Colorado at Boulder where I was extremely fortunate to be able to study abroad at the Universite de Bordeaux in Bordeaux France.  Upon returning to Colorado, I finished school at CU with a BA in Political Science and International Affairs, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1990.  I worked for a couple years to try to get some money together and in 1992 enrolled in law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law and graduated in the top 28% of my class in 1995.

 

After graduating from law school I worked for a small personal injury firm in Wilmington and later relocated back to the Triangle to take a job with a medium sized firm in Durham.  Shortly thereafter I transferred to work closely with one of the partners of that firm in their Creedmore, North Carolina office.  I decided to open my own firm in 2002 and have been self employed ever since.  I have been practicing bankruptcy law since 2001 and it has been the single largest part of my practice since I started my firm in 2002.  I really enjoy helping people and get a great deal of satisfaction in helping people lift the weight of the world off their shoulders by helping them get rid of debt.  I understand that the vast majority of people who file bankruptcy do so not because of anything they did wrong but because bad things happen to good people.

Licensed for 27 years
State NC
Status Active
Acquired 1995
Updated 12/27/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Derek

Similar lawyers nearby

Law Office of Derek R. Caldwell
PO Box 19242
4801 Glenwood Avenue Suite 200
Raleigh, NC, 27619

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  26 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | November 9, 2021
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
K. Brown
Very Easy to talk with. Knowledgeable and non-condescending. Consider me a lifelong client and referral source!
Response from Derek Caldwell November 10, 2021
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it!
Posted by Nicole | May 11, 2021
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Great Customer Service
After months of considering filing Chapter 7 on my own, I've finally decided to go with an attorney. After calling several offices in NC, I was pleased to speak with Attorney Derek R. Caldwell who made a great case for why going with an attorney offers a greater chance for Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing success. This attorney was pleasant to speak with, patient with my many questions, very professional, and with fees on the lower end of the spectrum many would appreciate. I think the professional assistance of Attorney Derek R. Caldwell would be of great benefit to many. Thank you.
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Response from Derek Caldwell May 13, 2021
Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure speaking with you and I look forward to working with you to discharge your debt.
Posted by Sandy | December 30, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Loan negotiation
We contracted Derek to guide us through a loan negotiation. he was easy to work with, very professional, and clearly worked well with the banks attorneys. We worked out a good settlement with the bank with timely payments that worked best for our situation. Derek did a great job, we would recommend him to everyone.
Response from Derek Caldwell December 31, 2020
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am very happy we were able to reach an amicable settlement of this debt.
Posted by anonymous | March 16, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Good person make a good lawyer
Mr. Caldwell, is a good person lawyer who on day one helped me with my chapter 7. he was very supportive and helpful with my Bankruptcy. he helping me get through.
Response from Derek Caldwell March 18, 2019
Thank you for your kind words. I try to treat every client the way I would like to be treated.
Posted by john | March 7, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Bankruptcy
Extremely open, honest, dependable and kind. Derek has been everything you could hope for in a lawyer. I filed for Bankruptcy in 2019 and he is the best lawyer I have ever had. There was a filing issue with my bankruptcy case and the Durham County Clerk said I would have to come to court on Monday. There was no way for me to make it to court that day and I was extremely distraught. But Derek called down there personally and resolved the matter. Even though I only paid him a flat fee for a simple Bankruptcy, I felt like he treated me like a high paying client. Derek if you are reading this thank you so much, you've single handedly changed my formerly low opinion of lawyers.
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Response from Derek Caldwell March 8, 2019
Thank you, John, for your kind words. I try to treat every client the way I would want to be treated.
Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Answered Prayer
I was in a tough situation and did not know who to turn to for help. So many people had given me incorrect or bad information that I also did not know who I could trust. I prayed about it and a few days later came across Derek's information. He was always honest and upfront with all information, gave me straight answers to my many questions, and explained every detail until I understood the process I would need to go through. I did not even hesitate in allowing him to legally represent me. He was very easy to talk to and responded to emails and phone calls quickly. I strongly encourage any individuals that are in a tough financial situation and are unsure of what to do next to contact Derek Caldwell.
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Response from Derek Caldwell January 23, 2019
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad to have been able to help.
Posted by anonymous | August 11, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Very helpful and clear answers
Thank you attorney Caldwell for your prompt opinion. Your explanation was very clear without second guessing. I wish you much success and happiness.
Posted by Lisa | June 10, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Best Lawyer Ever!!!
I went to Attorney after having a great deal of problems with my Bankruptcy situation. This guy is intelligent and has a lot of integrity. He saved me thousands of dollars by the advice that he gave me. Not only was I able to get out of debt a lot sooner and now I am starting to live a quality life but it has opened the doors to other things such as a better place to live, jobs, etc by beginning to get the CH 13 converted to a Ch 7 and discharged. I wish I could give him 10 stars. He is absolutely honest and trustworthy. Please do yourself a favor and hire him. The only reason I did not hire him was because I had paid an attorney already. I wish I had met him first because he would have been hired!!!!
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Posted by Shawn | February 5, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Helpful!
Very pleased with Mr. Caldwell's service. He communication was clear and provided me with a solution. Would highly recommend.
Posted by anonymous | September 2, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best decision I've made!
From the very first phone call and initial meeting, all the way through the Discharge, I was always very impressed with Derek's personal attention to me, my situation, and his knowledge and dedication to my case. His down to Earth personality combined with his legal professionalism was the exact opposite of I expected to find in a personal bankruptcy attorney. In fact, my biggest fear in placing that very first call to begin with was that before I met Derek, the only insight I had into bankruptcy was through those cheesy TV ads in the middle of the night from other lawyers. And those type of ads simply gave me the impression of having to go out and hire a reality show character for handling bankruptcy, rather than a professional lawyer who would be committed to me personally. Well folks, look no further...Derek is as real and as good as they get! I contacted him based on the AVVO reviews below, and that's why I'm writing one myself. I can say without a doubt, he is deserving of the absolute highest rating! He is caring of your situation and dedicated to his client. He is on a first name basis with you and your spouse, all while returning phone calls and emails in lightning speed. Anything I ever asked him he had a detailed answer for in record time. If I had a question or wanted information about a certain creditor, he picked up the phone and contacted the creditor immediately. I never went more than an hour without getting a response from Derek, and he never once let me down when it came to his knowledge and commitment to my fresh start. Amazingly, what I assumed on day one would be a 5-year dragged out process with a Chapter 13, he was able to get me a Chapter 7 discharge in only 3 months! On top of that, I'm still in my home and still driving my vehicle. I lost absolutely nothing with regards to my assets, and I have one person to thank for this fresh start in life - my attorney - Derek Caldwell!! Call him today, set up an appointment, and hire him on the spot! Trust me, you won't be sorry! Thanks again, Derek!
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Posted by anonymous | August 17, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommend
Mr. Caldwell handled my bankruptcy case recently. Before hiring him, I had already met with 3 other attorneys. I was totally confused. When I met with Mr. Caldwell, he was so informative, knowledgable, and personable. He's highly professional, but also kind and nonjudgemental. I was always able to get in touch with him quickly if I had a question. He was generous with his time and clear in his explanations. He made a potentially dreadful process far less traumatic than it could have been. He's such a nice person, and an excellent attorney. I recommend him without reservation!
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Posted by Lander and Alice | August 18, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mr. Caldwell is an excellent bankruptcy Attorney.
Mr. Caldwell is an excellent bankruptcy Attorney. My wife and I were immediately impressed by his warm, friendly, professionalism and obvious legal knowledge of bankruptcy laws. Mr. Caldwell, very patiently and thoroughly explained everything we needed to know and do in details. He also explained which required documents we needed to provide when filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy. He left no details out or questions unanswered. After we provided the required documents, which he made extremely easy by providing us with a copy of what I call the Required Documents Guide, he took charge of the situation at this point and moved quickly and efficiently in preparing our case documents for filing. During this entire process he was never late for our meetings. And he made sure that we were always able to contact him if we needed to. He always kept us informed and updated during every step of the preparation and filing of the documents in our case. My wife and I are very happy with his services and are appreciative of his dedication and the outstanding job Mr. Caldwell did for us as our chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney. His professionalism, quick and efficient manner in which he prepared and filed our case exceeded our expectation. Therefore, if you are looking for an attorney who is a professional, knowledgeable, experienced, who provides excellent services and will acts quickly and efficiently in filing your case, we strongly recommends Mr. Caldwell. He is in our opinion, by far, one of the best bankruptcy attorneys available!
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Posted by Jonathan | August 4, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Knowledgable and flexable
Derek is one of the best lawyers I have interacted with. He was extremely prompt in his responses and was very easy to get a hold of. Derek worked after hours with me because of a commute from Pinehurst. Originally we started to work towards a chapter 13, but after further paperwork was submitted, the chapter 7 was a better fit, even though it meant less money for Derek. I thoroughly appreciated his honesty in this. He was an absolute pleasure to work with!
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Posted by Kenneth | June 14, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Extremely helpful
Derek made the process of filing bankruptcy less scary and very smooth. His knowledge and professionalism put me in a place to where I am now still debt free and living a healthier lifestyle. He has a servants heart. You can't go wrong with his guidance.
Posted by Loretta | May 31, 2015
A good Lawyer to have in your Corner
Mr. Caldwell, is a good lawyer who on day one helped me with my chapter 13. he was very supportive with my Bankruptcy. he started out helping me get through three years but due to the challenges of life it took me five. He never got made at me he just called me his problem child and found a way to help me professionally. He is truly a lawyer you need in your corner when times are not only Bad but Hard. Thank you your one in a million.
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Posted by RON | February 14, 2015
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
HE LIGHTENED MY BURDEN BY KNOWING THE SYSTEM
THANK YOU DEREK KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND YOU GAVE ME THE POWER ! I'M NOT STRESSED ANY LONGER,READY TO PLAY THE GAME.
Posted by Jeff | September 25, 2013
Great to work with during my BK
Derek helped me with my Chapter 7 BK from the start to the finish. He was very professional and answered every question I had in a timely manner. If he was unavailable when I called it was usually within the hour he would return my call. As a person who has never gone through a financial matter such as this ( I am a chronic worrier), Derek explained each step of the process and was very informative of how the process works. If I ever need a Financial Attorney in the future I will not hesitate to call Derek again and highly advise otherrs to seek his council if they are going through financial matters that require an Attorney.
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Posted by Andrea | February 27, 2013
Great Lawyer who looks out for his clients and does his best for them
Derek Caldwell did a great job not only looking out for our best interest, but also taking us through the steps with ease when this was such a hard time in our lives and very difficult thing to go through.
Posted by Kevin | January 30, 2013
Back on Feet Thanks to Derek Caldwell
Derek Caldwell handled my bankruptcy in February 2005. Although the situation was one of the most stressful I can recall. Mr. Caldwell's professionalism, knowledge and integrity made the process concise and easy to navigate. Now seven years later I still stay in touch with Derek as I thoroughly enjoy our conversations and his insight. Currently I was able to refinance my house 3.25% and this would not have ever been possible without my alliance with Derek Caldwell.
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Posted by kate | January 15, 2013
best in town
Filling for bankruptcy is never a pleasant undertaking, but Derek made the process as painless as possible. When my husband and I began disusing this option, I called dozens of attorneys in the Triangle. Derek not only answered his phone, but took the time out of his day to speak with me and walk me through our options. A truly kind person, he was jovial and understanding though the whole ordeal. Derek practices independently, so you never get the run around from receptionists, paralegals and the like. You get his email address and phone number; he responds the same day. I can’t tell you how glad we were to have him represent us.
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.1 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • Law Office of Derek R. Caldwell
  • 2002 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Wallis & Morton, PLLC
  • 2001 - 2002
  • Attorney
  • Browne, Flebotte, Wilson & Horn, PLLC
  • 1999 - 2001

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1995
  • University of Colorado - Boulder
  • BA
  • 1990
  • Universite de Bordeaux III
  • N/A

Associations

  • National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
  • Member
  • 2007 - Present

Languages Spoken

  • French
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2021
  • Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2019
  • Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2010

Attorney endorsements

Received (52)
Given (19)
Endorse Derek
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. He is very knowledgeable and generously shares excellent Legal advice on this Forum Further he has provided a wealth of valuable insight and practical consul."
Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney | Mar 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. The answers of Derek are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney. Plus, he speaks French!"
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Dec 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Caldwell is an excellent and very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | May 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. I only know Mr. Caldwell though his many answers on Avvo in the area of Bankruptcy. Mr. Caldwell's answers are always right on the money. Unlike some, he does not just give quick cursory answers. He goes in depth, yet he makes sure to be understandable to a lay person. His answers show thought, great knowledge of bankruptcy, and, most important, caring about the asker's problem. The time and effort he volunteers to help strangers is just amazing. Anyone who would hire him as their attorney is lucky to have such a quality person representing them."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Jun 01
Relationship: Other
"I have read Mr. Caldwell's many responses to bankruptcy questions and always found them to be accurate and concise. I endorse this lawyer to anyone in his community looking for a qualified bankruptcy attorney."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Mar 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Caldwell is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Feb 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Mr. Derek is a well-regarded and driven attorney who has provided exceptional legal representation to numerous clients throughout the U.S. With his extensive knowledge, broad experience and impressive professional skills, he is bound to invest his time and energy into achieving the best outcome for each case, regardless of its level of complexity."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Dec 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Jun 10
Relationship: Other
"I am pleased to endorse Mr. Caldwell, who I know only by coming across answers to Avvo questions that I am also answering. It struck me today how precise he was in his response in a a format that I believe a non-lawyer would find easy to understand and being accurate in the response. His other endorsements speak to his honesty and integrity. While most attorneys can cite to statutes and rules of procedures, not all attorneys at law can be effective counselors at law."
Debt settlement Attorney | May 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Mar 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Caldwell is a valuable member of the Avvo community. He consistently provides accurate advice. I endorse him without hesitation."
Unknown Attorney | Feb 20
Relationship: Other
"This lawyer provides insightful guidance here on Avvo. I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Dec 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I only know Derek from the postings that he makes on this site. I have not read each and every posting, but the many that I have seen are very detailed and spot on. Often he not only answers the question but asks the next question. If I had a client seeking bankruptcy counsel in his geographic area, I would definitely recommend recommend"
Chapter 13 bankruptcy Attorney | Dec 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Dec 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Nov 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Caldwell provides excellent advice to Avvo users. He is a very capable and exceptional attorney."
Unknown Attorney | Nov 18
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer as one who is a specialist in their field and highly recommend."
Unknown Attorney | Oct 01
Relationship: Other
"I not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!"
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Sep 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Derek has an extremely high degree of legal knowledge, he is willing to help and very respected in the legal community. I would not hesitate in recommending Mr. Caldwell."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Sep 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Ethical and knowledgeable. Clients will notice the benefits of competent counsel when Derek is your arrorney."
View more endorsements
Bankruptcy and debt
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Bankruptcy and debt
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Bankruptcy and debt
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Bankruptcy and debt
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Raleigh Chapter 13 bankruptcy Lawyer Derek R. Caldwell
Derek R. Caldwell
Chapter 13 bankruptcy Attorney
Raleigh, NC
Licensed for 27 years