Derek R Van Gilder

My daughter was physically ill with many disturbing symptoms which 3 doctors could not diagnose. My daughter was also stressed by her mother's drinking on previous visits and from hurtful remarks suffered by phone in the previous two months. And my daughter was afraid to fly cross country again aft...er excruciating pain on her last flight home two months prior. After her mother refused a delayed start date for her summer visit so that the doctor could complete tests and a review of expert specialty consults in order to properly diagnose and treat her before stressing her more with travel, her mother then sued me, representing herself, to enforce her visitation right. Four years earlier I was trying to get this same Court to agree to require supervised visitation for her mother's brother, the only male family member whom our daughter feared on either side of the family. At that time, her mother had a Baylor trained lawyer with a relationship with the Judge. My lawyer was from another county and did not know my case having deferred many months of groundwork to a junior partner who did not show for the Hearing. So, I had an Order entered against me citing intent to deny my daughter's mother access to our daughter. So, Mr. Van Gilder had a righteous cause, but a deck stacked against him with a judge who was reminded of her past order against me. In court, Mr. Van Gilder accomplished both major objectives of the day: 1. Persuade the Court to allow my daughter to remain in Texas until she is medically cleared, and 2. Persuade the Judge to transfer the case to my county of residence (Bastrop). Despite two long rants of accusations against me,  misconstructions, and threats like putting me in jail,... in the end Mr. Van Gilder walked my daughter's mother through a long series of direct questions which ultimately put her in the position of undoing her entire case against me. I was stunned by the genius of Mr. Van Gilder's logical and indefensible line of questions. And as if that was not enough, and it was: Mr. Van Gilder also maintained the presence of mind, after all of this battling to protect my daughter, to remember to press the judge to agree to transfer our case to my county of residence (Bastrop). It was amazing focus, and to me a tenacious heart guided by God. I was so grateful to have had Mr. Van Gilder in the fight to protect my child. And I say that anyone who retains Mr. Van Gilder has provided himself or herself more legal protection than money can buy. Beside all this, Mr. Van Gilder's personal ethics and demonstrable humility and kindness also added to the power of his ability to negotiate terms with the Judge. If you need a lawyer to protect your child, I say you cannot find a more caring, able, trained, and determined bodyguard.

I highly recommend Derek to handle any attorney needs. Not only did he prove in court that I was the best fit to care for my children, to be the primary custodial parent, he continued to fight our case for child support and medical support. Derek was persistent and after 3 years, the court final...ly honored child support. Not many Fathers gain primary custodial care. I do not know what I would have done or what would have happened if I had chosen anyone else to represent me.

I have used Mr. Van Gilder on many legal matters over the years; this one being the most personal.  I am embroiled in a contentious custody mater.  Mr. Van Gilder’s experience and expertise have been instrumental in: - navigating the legal complexities surrounding the case - addressing the coun...tless nefarious actions of the opposing party - parallel preparation; anticipated multiple potential paths avoiding surprises and process stumbles Throughout the process Mr. Van Gilder has always been focused on the welfare of the children involved.  In addition Mr. Van Gilder has been great at making himself available to address concerns and issues that arise; educating me and reducing my level of angst.  I believe this level of compassion places him in an elite class.  I highly recommend both Mr. Van Gilder and his entire team of exceptional professionals.  

Derek is one of those people you want on your side. He has been my attorney for the past ten years. Derek has helped me define contracts for clients, represented me in lawsuits on both sides of the table and advised me on family issues in Ca.. I always know where I stand, what the processes will b...e and what my options are. I know him to be generous in the community and serving of his fellow man.