Darrell Apffel is the Managing Partner at Apffel Legal, PLLC and concentrates his practice on all aspects of civil litigation and criminal law.
Darrell is a Galveston native and graduate of O’Connell Catholic High School. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1986 with a degree in Construction Management and received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law. Upon passing the Texas Bar in 1989, he began practicing law as a solo practitioner and in 1997 formed Bettison, Doyle, Apffel & Guarino, P.C. where he worked until 2016 when he opened Apffel Legal, PLLC with his son Blake.
The Apffel family has been practicing law in Galveston County for over 100 years of which Darrell has spent over 30 years recovering millions of dollars for individuals and families in litigation. Darrell has served on the Texas Bar Foundation, the District 5c Grievance Committee Member for the Texas Bar Association and is a Past President and 30+ year member of the Galveston County Bar Association.
In 2004, Darrell was elected as Galveston County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1, dispensing justice in the communities of Bacliff, Clear Lake Shores, Kemah, League City, San Leon and Texas City. In 2016, he was elected as Galveston County Commissioner in the same precinct representing the same constituents but outside of the courtroom, fighting to improve citizens’ quality of life and make Galveston County a great place to live, work and raise a family. In 2019 he began his second term as County Commissioner.
Darrell ‘Blake’ Apffel is a Partner at Apffel Legal, PLLC where he concentrates his practice on all aspects of civil litigation and some criminal law, with a primary focus on personal injury.
A lifelong resident of Galveston County, Blake received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University where he majored in Communication. He received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law and was sworn into the State Bar in April 2015. Since obtaining his license, he has received a Top 100 Verdict in Texas, the 2nd Highest Constructive Fraud Verdict in 2018, and has successfully argued cases in the 1st and 14th Court of Appeals.
Blake, his high school sweetheart Tara, and their three children live in League City, Texas. He is an active member of Clear Creek Community Church and is on the board of the Texas Lighthouse Foundation. Blake has also been a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committee member for five years and currently serves as a WCBBQ Assistant Captain.
Terri graduated from Texas City High School in 1975 and began her legal career that same year as a receptionist at a law firm in Texas City. From 1992-1993, Terri attended The Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston and graduated with a paralegal certificate. In 2009, Terri was certified as a paralegal by Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the area of personal injury trial law, making her one of only two board certified paralegals in personal injury trial law in Galveston County.
Terri has had an employment relationship with the Apffel family of attorneys since 1985. That relationship now spans three generations. Terri first worked for the family patriarch, Ervin A. Apffel, Jr., at McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel, in Galveston, then for Ervin A. Apffel, III at Apffel Law Firm in League City. She joined Apffel Legal, PLLC in 2017. Terri is a member of the State Bar of Texas - Paralegal Division and the Houston Paralegal Association.
Terri now makes her home in Dickinson where she lives with her two dogs, Maxx and Rowdy. She has one married daughter, and one granddaughter. Terri is a Cowboys fan and enjoys traveling, cooking and baking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
