Mr. Cardenas has been a litigator for twenty-five years and has litigated and tried significant cases involving environmental claims, premises actions, insurance defense, catastrophic events, multidistrict litigation, and personal injury.
Mr. Cardenas represents energy, transportation, chemical refineries, and industrial businesses in complex matters involving the environment, including Superfund litigation, public nuisance, remediation and restoration of contaminated properties, cost recovery actions, contribution actions, claims for property damages, and release of hazardous substances. He also advises clients on how to manage their environmental risk through appropriate environmental indemnity clauses, environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance, and through the development of preventative and proactive strategies.
Mr. Cardenas also assists international and domestic companies navigate commercial issues involving asset purchase transactions, contractual disputes, indemnification and warranty claims, and enforcement of non-competition agreements. Mr. Cardenas advises clients on strategic, employment, operational, and compliance issues.
City of Houston Buildings and Standards Commission Commissioner Chair, 2006-present
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) Pro Bono Attorney
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Alumni Board Member
Author and Speaker, “Environmental Law Update, New Cases from the Supreme Court,” presentation and paper published in the course book for the Advising Businesses in a Troubled Economy, University of Houston Law Foundation Continuing Legal Education, 2009.
Author and Speaker, “Environmental Law Update,” presentation and paper published in the course book for the Advising Businesses in a Troubled Economy, University of Houston Law Foundation Continuing Legal Education, 2010.
Speaker at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law First Year Student Orientation 2021-2023.
Representative Experience
Defended industrial wood pellet facility in the Gulf Coast region from nuisance and personal injury claims from more than one thousand plaintiffs arising from a silo fire that lasted multiple weeks.
Defended oil and gas recycling companies in an enforcement action by state and county agencies arising from alleged unauthorized releases of hazardous substances.
Defended industrial services company in multidistrict litigation arising from an oil refinery explosion which resulted in numerous burned workers.
Defended industrial metals company in a personal injury case in which plaintiff alleged traumatic brain injuries.
Defended chemical refinery in multidistrict litigation arising from personal injury and premises claims from numerous plaintiffs that resulted from a release of hazardous chemicals.
Represented employer in a wrongful death action arising from a motor vehicle accident caused by employee who lost control of the company vehicle and collided with oncoming traffic on a West Texas interstate.
Represented oilfield services company in a personal injury action arising from significant injuries suffered by plaintiff when a string of drill pipe separated at the well platform.
Represented civil engineering company in a multiparty action arising from personal injuries suffered by plaintiff as a result electrocution.
Represented waste treatment facility in an environmental contamination and property damage case arising from the unplanned release from a treatment cell during a historic rain event.
Represented chemical blending facility in connection with the USOR Superfund site.
Represented landowner in a cost recovery and contribution action against hundreds of potentially responsible parties arising from a state enforcement action.
Represented industrial facility in connection with property damages and business interruption claims arising from a ship fire at the port of Port Arthur.
Represented oil and gas development company in a breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation case arising from a failed oil development project in Mexico.
Represented international oil pipe manufacturer in products liability case arising from a well failure in South Texas.
Represented seller of a large tract of land in a breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation case brought by residential developer arising from alleged undiscovered waste and contamination.
Defended commercial property venture and property management company from claims of toxic mold exposure from commercial tenant.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, J.D. (with honors), 1999
University of Texas at Austin, B.A. Government, 1991
State Bar of Texas
Houston Bar Association
Mexican American Bar Association
Texas Bar Foundation
US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Chapter
HBA Bilingual Pro Bono Services Program
Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity
Member of the 2012 Sedona Conference Working Group Series
Adjunct Professor Barba Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University
Recognized by The Latino American “Who’s Who” Top 100 (2014-2015)
Achievements in Advancing the Culture of the Latino American Business Community
Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas