$ 275-395 per hour
PRO
Derek R Van Gilder
Virtual Consultation Available
About Derek
Biography
We are your "home town" Bastrop, Texas lawyers--providing "big city" experience with "small town" service. When you need a responsive and attentive Texas lawyer to take on your legal problems, the Law Office of Derek R. Van Gilder is here for you.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Derek R. Van Gilder bring decades of experience and success to the table representing individuals and businesses in all aspects of civil law.
Have you been in a car accident or have problems with construction matters? I can help you.
Are you thinking about a divorce or child custody matters? My experience can help you now.
Do you need an experienced lawyer for your business or civil litigation matters? I can help you.
Do you want to start a business, but do not know how or what to do? Call me for help
Do you have a great idea for an invention, but do not know where to begin? My experience can help.
Have you or a loved one been in a car accident or gotten injured? Call my office for help.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Business
25%
46 years | 700 cases
Litigation
25%
46 years | 1,000 cases
Family
20%
46 years | 400 cases
Personal Injury
20%
46 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2015 2012 2010
Licenses
Licensed in California for 43 years
State: California
Acquired: 1982
Licensed in Texas for 44 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1981
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2016
Licensed in District of Columbia for 35 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1990
Location
Gallery
Derek R Van Gilder's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 61 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Lynn | September 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Family Attorney!
I have used Derek for several different scenarios and have been more than satisfied each time. I would highly recommend him for a variety of needs, including divorce and family trusts. This Bastrop community is very fortunate to have Derek in their corner! Lynn S
Posted by Lyn | May 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Child Custody
Derek VanGilder has handled our case with great care and has worked hard to get us the best possible outcome. He is very professional and well organized. His office staff is is very friendly and welcoming. I would recommend him to anyone.
Posted by Chris | April 5, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Dedicated, friendly and professional
Been to Derek several times and am always treated well. Professional team, friendly and fast response time. Always handled with care and respect.
Posted by Shay | March 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Amazing attorney!
Derek is an excellent attorney with sharp mind and he is also extremely knowledgeable in many different areas. He is very personable and very willing to listen to us when we need his legal advice for both business and personal. With his engineering background, he is very versatile in resolving and ...
Posted by anonymous | February 21, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great lawyer, great results
I met with Mr. Van Gilder to discuss a faulty repair done on my pick up truck by a local company. Mr. Van Gilder took the case and within a few weeks reached a settlement with the company. Mr. Van Gilder and his law firm was attentive and extremely professional, and wasted no time to address the issu...
Derek R Van Gilder's Lawyer Endorsements
"Derek is an extremely smart attorney and knows his way around a courtroom. I have had several very contested cases against him. In all cases, he did a great job representing his clients and maintaining a high level of professionalism. I would hire Derek if I needed a family attorney."
"I was co-counsel on a very high net worth property case with Derek. His expertise and trial skills made the difference in our outcome. I would not hesitate to recommend Derek to friends or family."
"I worked as Derek’s associate for seven years prior to recently relocating to San Antonio, Texas. During that time I witnessed first hand that he is fair, persuasive, and aggressively pursues his client's interests while treating his clients, other lawyers, and the Court with respect. Derek is an attorney who is knowledgeable about the law and not afraid to use that knowledge. I endorse Derek R. Van Gilder 100%."
"Mr. Van Gilder has been opposing counsel on several family law matters and I have always found him to be professional, honest and easy to work with during the litigation process. I endorse this lawyer as he genuinely cares about his clients and strives to obtain the best possible outcome for each client in every case."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Derek for over 30 years and know him to be a very knowledgable, resourceful attorney and a man of great integrity who is a strong advocate for his clients."
"I have known Derek for several years now. He was opposing counsel in my first trial, and he has been very professional and pleasant to work with. He is a great attorney and I would happily refer business his way. His clients are in good hands."
"Derek has been my opposing counsel on a few different matters over the years and was always courteous and professional. Having a good lawyer as your opposing counsel always makes it easier to get things resolved."
"I have worked with Derek on several matters. He is an excellent trial lawyer and he has obtained outstanding results for his clients. I highly recommend him for complex commercial disputes as well as general litigation."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Derek is a top-notch litigator in our community and one to whom I personally refer business that is outside the scope of my law practice. I know he'll take excellent care of my clients."
Jacob Dannen
Family lawyer
David Wynne
Divorce and separation lawyer
Dareld Morris
Tax lawyer
David Collins
Criminal defense lawyer
Caroline McClimon
Family lawyer
J. Howard
Personal injury lawyer
Logan Howard
Employment and labor lawyer
Bryan McDaniel
Family lawyer
Steven Urban
Litigation lawyer
James Willi
Appeals lawyer
Tracy Willi
Appeals lawyer
Aleta Peacock
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2016.
Public Reprimand issued in TX, 2016
updated on 03/15/2019Public reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.
Derek’s comment:
“The Reprimand was because the Bar Association believed I had a conflict of interest because I had represented a client, individually, and her solely owned company, and later when asked to modify her Trust of which she was the sole beneficiary . A conflict arose between her daughter (a manager/employee) of her company and my client when it was discovered that the daughter was using personal and company funds without authorization from my client. Due to personal reasons, I could not fight it.”
Honors
2019
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
District Foundation Builder Award, Rotary International
2014
Point of Light, Bastrop Chamber of Commerce
2013
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2012
Rotary Foundation Service Award, Rotary International-District 5870
2012
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2011
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2010
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2009
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2008
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2007
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
2007
Best Attorney, Bastrop Advertiser
2006
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who
2005
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
2003
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
2001
Roll of Fame--District 5870, Rotary International
1994
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who
1993
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Marquis Who's Who
1993
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who
1993
Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who
1992
Who's Who in the World, Marquis Who's Who
1992
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Marquis Who's Who
1992
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who
1992
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
1991
Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who
1991
Who's Who in the World, Marquis Who's Who
1991
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
1990
Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who
1990
Who's Who in the World, Marquis Who's Who
1990
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, Marquis Who's Who
1989
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who
1988
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who in American Law
Work Experience
1985 - Present
Owner, Law Office of Derek R. Van Gilder
1984 - 1985
Instructor, Houston Community College
1982 - 1985
Associate, Bean and Manning
1981 - 1982
Associate, Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges
1980 - 1980
Engineer, Brown & Root
1978 - 1979
Engineer, Johnston Crane & Rigging
1974 - 1977
Engineer, Flour Engineers & Constructors, Inc.
Associations
2005 - Present
Bastrop Area CruisersPast President/V.P./Member
1995 - Present
Bastrop County Rotary ClubPast Club Pres/Past Ass't Dist Gov'r, GSE Team Ldr, Fdn Chair
1995 - Present
Bastrop County Bar AssociationMember--Treasurer
1994 - Present
Bastrop County Bar AssociationMember/Committee Chair/Treasurer
1994 - Present
Bastrop Chamber of CommercePast Board Member
1991 - Present
Houston Livestock Show & RodeoPast Asst Club Chairman/Life Member
1975 - Present
University of Texas Ex-Students AssociationPast Chapter President/Member
2009 - 2013
Bastrop Noon LIons ClubMember
2003 - 2009
Children's Advocacy Centers of TexasBoard Member/ Building Chair
1995 - 2004
Children's Advocay Center of BastropBoard of Directors/Treasurer
1995 - 2008
Friends of the Science Park--MD Anderson Health Science CenterPast Chairman-Member
1983 - 1991
Defense Research InstituteMember
1982 - 1992
Texas Association of Defense CounselMember
1982 - 1994
Houston Bar AssociationMember
1981 - 1992
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State of Texas v Jeff Fitzpatrick
Not Guilty
No. Cause No. 423-741; Bluebonnet Home Health v. Wright et al., 423rd Dist. Ct., Bastrop Cty, TX
After 2 week jury trial, Jury awarded client damages and attorney fees of almost $200k. Defendant's claim for damages was denied.
NO. 26,747 Walden v. S&J Endeavors, LLC, et al., 335th Dist. Ct., Bastrop Cty, TX
After six week trial, Jury awarded Homeowners damages and obtained a favorable verdict including attorney fees in excess of $300,000. Jury awarded Homebuilder nothing on its counterclaim.
Education
1981
University of Texas School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1976
University of Houston
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1974
University of Texas, Austin
BS - Bachelor of Science-Civil Engineering
1971
United States Military Academy
1969
United States Military Academy Prep School
Speaking Engagements
2010
Will Seminar
Wills and Probate
2008
Will Seminar
Wills and Probate
1995
Central Texas Mining Society
Patent Law
1991
Texas A & M Engineering Society
Engineering and the Law
1990
Texas A & M Engineering Society
The Engineer's Role in Patent Law
1986
Texas Employers Insurance Co
Witness Testimony of the Rehab. Nurse
Publications
1984
Construction Education Management Seminar
The Role of the Architect and Engineer in the Claim
Languages
English
Spanish