Cavitch Familo & Durkin is pleased to announce that Derek P. Hartman has joined the firm as a Shareholder. With over a decade of experience, Derek brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our litigation team.
Licensed in all state and federal courts in Ohio, Derek has a proven track record representing both individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation across federal courts, state courts, arbitrations, and mediations throughout Ohio, the United States, and abroad. His extensive experience includes representing product manufacturers in high-stakes cases involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, product liability, and consumer-related tort claims. Notably, Derek has defended one of the “big four” automobile manufacturers against lemon law, breach of warranty, and Consumer Sales Practices Act claims throughout Ohio.
Derek’s litigation prowess extends to real estate, where he has successfully resolved disputes involving purchase-sale agreements, leases (including oil and gas leases), easements, and title-related actions such as adverse possession claims, survey disputes, and quiet-title actions. He has also made significant contributions to business litigation, prosecuting and defending direct and derivative claims involving business owners, shareholders, and directors. His legal acumen was demonstrated when he briefed and argued a significant case before the Eighth District Court of Appeals concerning the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas’ denial of an application to vacate an arbitrator’s award.
Beyond his litigation skills, Derek is a leader in the legal community. He served on the Futures Commission of the Ohio State Bar Association, where he contributed to the “Report of the Futures Commission,” and he recently completed the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Leadership Academy (2022-2023).
We are excited to welcome Derek to Cavitch Familo & Durkin and look forward to the invaluable contributions he will bring to our clients and our firm.