Victor L. Cardenas Jr.

Partner

Mr. Cardenas joined Hartline Barger LLP after more than 8 years with a nationally recognized environmental and litigation law firm, where he was a founding member and shareholder. Mr. Cardenas has been instrumental in helping clients recover historic settlements in watershed environmental cases and successfully litigated high-stakes CERCLA contribution actions, railroad cases, contamination cases, and complex commercial disputes.

Mr. Cardenas represents public entities, transportation companies and commercial businesses in complex matters arising under virtually every major federal environmental statute, particularly including the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), in jurisdictions from coast-to-coast. He has extensive experience in Superfund and hazardous substance sites, including negotiation of consent decrees, agreed orders, and settlements, cost-recovery and contribution actions, contaminated property damage and devaluation claims, NRD assessment and litigation, third-party and citizen suits, and other matters relating to contamination or impaired real property. He has also represented commercial landowners in enforcement and administrative proceedings concerning the release and migration of hazardous materials in all environmental media, and coordinated remedial process among various stake-holders.

Mr. Cardenas also advises international and domestic midsize energy, industrial, and transportation sector clients manage their environmental risk through appropriate environmental indemnity clauses, environmental due diligence, and regulatory compliance in cross-border transactions.

Victor uses his diverse business background in the public sector, IT industry, client services, and as a solo practitioner to offer pragmatic and cost effective solutions to complex problems facing his clients. Additionally, Victor’s substantial experience regarding e-discovery in complex litigation matters ensures that his clients are effectively navigating the constantly evolving e-discovery landscape.

Telephone: 713.951.4116
Fax: 713.652.2419
vcardenas@hartlinebarger.com
1980 Post Oak Blvd.
Suite 1800
Houston, Texas 77056

Curriculum Vitae

  • Education
    Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D. (with Honors) 1999
    The University of Texas at Austin, B.A. Government 1991
  • Bar & Court Admissions
    Texas
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Honors & Awards
    • Member of the 2012 Sedona Conference Working Group Series
    • Honored by the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University by being selected as an adjunct professor to teach a graduate level class in leadership and decision making
    • Special contributor to O'Connor's Federal Rules Civil Trial 2007 regarding electronic data discovery updates.
    • Recognized by The Latino American "Who's Who" Top 100 (2014-2015) for Achievements in Advancing the Culture of the Latino American Business Community
  • Professional Affiliations & Activities
    • State Bar of Texas
    • Houston Bar Association
    • Mexican American Bar Association
    • US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Chapter
    • Commissioner, Houston Buildings and Standards Commission (2006-present)
    • Firm Coordinator, Houston Young Lawyers Association Adopt-an-Angel Program
    • HBA Bilingual Pro Bono Services Program
    • Phi Alpha Delta

Victor grew up in Houston and has a long history of active involvement in the Hispanic community, as well as other professional and civic organizations. He is married with two daughters and is fluent in Spanish. In his spare time, Victor enjoys traveling with his family and fly fishing on the Guadalupe River.