Terry E. Caldwell – Top Attorney
Victorville, CA WW/Press/ – Terry E. Caldwell, Partner with Caldwell Kennedy & Porter is recognized and distinguished in the Top Attorneys of North America 2025-2026 edition.
When you need an attorney who understands both the complexities of law and the realities of business and public service, you need someone with a proven track record of results. Attorney Terry E. Caldwell of Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter brings more than four decades of legal experience combined with extensive community leadership to every case he handles.
At Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter, the philosophy is simple yet powerful: advocate for the client’s interests first. This results-oriented approach has earned the firm a reputation that extends beyond typical attorney-client relationships. When court personnel need legal counsel for their personal business needs, they turn to Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter—a testament to the trust and respect the firm has earned within the legal community.
What sets this firm apart is their unique combination of trial readiness and skilled negotiation. While many attorneys lean heavily toward one approach or the other, Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter maintains preparedness for trial while employing negotiation strategies that are both reasonable and sensitive to client needs. This balanced approach often leads to better outcomes for clients, whether through strategic settlements or successful litigation.
The firm’s strength also lies in the diverse backgrounds of its attorneys. These are not just legal professionals—they are business executives, teachers, public officials, directors, and school board members. This wealth of experience allows them to understand legal issues from multiple perspectives and provide advice that considers both legal and practical business implications.
Terry Caldwell’s educational journey reflects his commitment to continuous learning and professional development. His academic path began at Taft College, where he earned his Associate of Arts degree in 1960. He then pursued his Bachelor of Science at San Jose State University, graduating in 1963.
After gaining real-world experience, Caldwell returned to his legal studies, attending the University of Southern California before completing his Juris Doctor at Citrus Belt Law School in 1975. This educational foundation provided him with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that would serve him well throughout his career.
His commitment to the legal profession extends beyond his own practice. Caldwell has been an active member of multiple bar associations, including the High Desert Bar Association, where he served as Treasurer from 1978 to 1982, as well as the San Bernardino County and American Bar Associations. These memberships demonstrate his dedication to professional standards and continuing education within the legal community.
What truly distinguishes Terry Caldwell is his extraordinary commitment to public service. His record of community involvement reads like a masterclass in civic engagement. Over the span of decades, Caldwell has served his hometown of Victorville in numerous capacities, demonstrating that effective legal representation requires understanding the communities where clients live and work.
Caldwell’s political career spans an impressive 31 years of municipal service. He served five terms as Mayor of Victorville and an additional twenty-six years as a Councilman. This level of sustained public service is rare and speaks to both his effectiveness as a leader and the trust voters placed in him election after election.
His tenure in local government coincided with significant growth and development in the High Desert region. During his time in office, Victorville evolved from a smaller desert community into a major city in San Bernardino County. Caldwell’s experience navigating this growth, dealing with complex municipal issues, and balancing competing interests provides invaluable insight that benefits his legal clients today.
Beyond municipal politics, Caldwell has made significant contributions to environmental protection and water quality management. He served twelve years as a Board Member of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, including three terms as Chairman. This role required deep understanding of environmental law, regulatory compliance, and the intersection of environmental protection with economic development.
Water rights and environmental regulations are critical issues in California, particularly in the High Desert region where water resources are precious. Caldwell’s expertise in this area makes him uniquely qualified to handle cases involving environmental law, water rights, land use, and regulatory compliance.
His leadership on the State Regional Water Quality Control Board also demonstrates his ability to work effectively at the state level, understanding how state regulations impact local communities and businesses. This perspective proves invaluable when representing clients who must navigate complex regulatory environments.
Caldwell’s involvement in economic development further enhances his value as a legal advisor to businesses. As Council representative to and Vice Chairman of the Victor Valley Economic Development Authority (VVEDA), he has been directly involved in efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and foster economic growth in the region.
This experience provides him with insight into the challenges businesses face when establishing or expanding operations. He understands zoning issues, permit processes, infrastructure requirements, and the various regulatory hurdles that can impact business success. When businesses need legal counsel, this background allows Caldwell to provide advice that considers not just legal compliance but also practical business implications.
His service as a Board Member of Desert Community Bank further demonstrates his understanding of financial and business matters. Banking regulations, commercial lending, and business finance are complex areas where legal and business considerations intersect. This experience enhances his ability to serve business clients effectively.
Caldwell’s community involvement extends to numerous civic and professional organizations. His membership in the Victorville Chamber of Commerce connects him to the local business community and keeps him informed about issues affecting regional commerce. This network provides valuable insights that benefit his business clients.
His long-standing membership in Rotary Club, beginning in 1963 and continuing to the present, demonstrates his commitment to service above self—the organization’s motto. Rotary membership also provides him with extensive professional and personal networks that span decades and cross multiple industries.
Additional roles include service on the Airport Land Use Commission, appointment to the County Disaster Council by Sheriff Dick Williams, and representation on the Fire Advisory Committee. Each of these positions required specific expertise and provided unique perspectives that inform his legal practice.
Terry Caldwell’s commitment to the High Desert region runs deep—he was born and raised in the area and continues to make it his home. He is married to Patricia (Charley), and they have three children: Leon, Carrie, and Christie. This strong family foundation and community connection ensure that his interests align with those of his neighbors and clients.
Being a lifelong resident of the High Desert provides Caldwell with intimate knowledge of local issues, community dynamics, and the challenges facing residents and businesses in the region. This local knowledge proves invaluable when representing clients in matters that involve local government, land use, water rights, or business regulations.
The philosophy at Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter centers on achieving results for clients while maintaining the highest ethical standards. This approach combines thorough preparation with strategic thinking and skilled negotiation. Clients benefit from attorneys who understand that legal success often requires more than just knowing the law—it requires understanding business, government, and community dynamics.
The firm’s reputation for trial readiness ensures that opposing parties know they are dealing with serious professionals who are fully prepared to take cases to court if necessary. This reputation often facilitates better settlement negotiations, as opponents understand they are not dealing with attorneys who are afraid of trial.
At the same time, the firm’s emphasis on reasonable negotiation and sensitivity to client needs means that litigation is not pursued unnecessarily. The goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for the client in the most efficient manner possible.
The varied backgrounds of the attorneys at Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter allow them to serve a diverse clientele effectively. Businesses both large and small rely on their in-depth business experience to provide practical advice and resolve complex legal issues. The attorneys understand that legal problems rarely exist in isolation—they often involve business considerations, regulatory compliance, community relations, and economic factors.
This comprehensive approach to legal representation means clients receive advice that considers all relevant factors, not just narrow legal technicalities. Whether dealing with contract disputes, regulatory issues, land use matters, or business transactions, clients benefit from attorneys who understand the broader context of their challenges.
Attorney Terry E. Caldwell represents the best of what the legal profession can offer—deep knowledge of law combined with extensive real-world experience in business and public service. His decades of community leadership, environmental expertise, and business acumen make him uniquely qualified to serve clients facing complex legal challenges.
At Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter, clients don’t just get legal representation—they get advocacy from professionals who understand how law intersects with business, government, and community life. This comprehensive approach, combined with a results-oriented philosophy and commitment to client service, continues to set the firm apart in the competitive legal marketplace.
Whether you’re a business owner facing regulatory challenges, a individual dealing with legal disputes, or anyone who needs skilled legal representation backed by decades of community leadership and business experience, the team at Caldwell, Kennedy, & Porter offers the expertise and dedication you need to achieve successful outcomes.
The Top Attorneys of North America, a New York based publication, distinguishes and profiles leading attorneys who have reached a recognizable degree of success and leadership in their field. The directory is valued for promoting awareness of the accomplishments within the North American legal community.
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