Providing Solutions To Complex Legal Issues
Derek P. Hartman, shareholder at Cavitch, Familo & Durkin Co., brings over a decade of litigation experience,
representing individuals and businesses in complex civil disputes across Ohio, the United States, and
internationally. Licensed in all state and federal courts in Ohio, he advocates for clients in high-stakes
federal and state court cases, arbitrations, and mediations.
A trusted legal advisor in product liability and commercial litigation, Hartman has successfully defended
product manufacturers in breach of contract, breach of warranty, and consumer-related tort claims. His
work includes representing one of the “Big Four” automobile manufacturers in lemon law, breach of
warranty, and Consumer Sales Practices Act cases statewide.
Practice Areas
Education
- University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio
- J.D.
- Kent State University, summa cum laude, B.A., Psychology, B.A. Paralegal Studies
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
Professional Associations
- Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars by Law & Politics
-
Defense Research Institute
-
Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2026
- The Steak Club Foundation, 2017-2019, 2024-Present
- Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Represented former FirstEnergy C-Suite executive as local counsel in three (3) class-action lawsuits which arise from
the passing of HB6. - Represented prominent local, national, and international businesses in protecting their brands and reputations through complex litigation involving design patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights.
- Represented shareholders in securities class action litigation involving the merger of two publicly traded companies.
- Represented various product manufacturers in claims involving product liability, breach of warranty, breach of contract, and related claims.
- Represented original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in CERCLA litigation involving an E-Waste facility in Ohio with potential liabilities in the tens of millions of dollars.
- Represented former owner of industrial property in defending claims for breach of fiduciary duty and other business-related torts.
- Represented businesses in complex commercial litigation in all forums, including federal court, state court, and arbitration, in various jurisdictions throughout the United States.
- Identify, engage, and manage local counsel and expert witnesses throughout the world.
- Represented clients in defense of adverse possession claim instituted by a neighbor concerning property and littoral rights involving land which abuts the shore of Lake Erie.
- Conducted several bench trails on landlord-tenant rights including, but not limited, to residential and commercial evictions and damages hearings.
- Successfully defended claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and a judicial partition of real estate seeking $700,000 in damages by asserting counterclaims which resulted in a near six figure settlement for the Defendant.
- Represented a prominent foreign real estate investor in litigation which arose from a real estate broker’s failure to properly maintain ~$150,000 in a trust account.
- Represented Defendant in defending a federal FLSA collective action which resulted in a favorable settlement prior to class certification.