Douglas H. Bartel, J.D.

Associate Attorney

Shepherd Elder Law Group is pleased to have Douglas H. Bartel, Associate Attorney, as part of our team of lawyers. Douglas brings a diverse legal background and a strong record of advocacy to his role, having represented clients in both immigration and criminal law matters.

Prior to joining our team, Douglas served as an Immigration Attorney and Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow at the Asylum Clinic Kansas City, where he represented more than 70 clients—primarily unaccompanied children—before EOIR and USCIS. His work included complex filings, comprehensive legal research, and training pro bono attorneys from large firms. He also gained litigation experience as a Prosecutorial Student Attorney with the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, handling over 50 cases in bench and jury trials, and as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Roseann A. Ketchmark in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Douglas earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law, where he served as Symposium Editor for the Kansas Law Review, won a national championship with the NNALSA Moot Court team, and was a Teaching Assistant for Legal Writing and Research. He also holds a Master’s degree in French Literature with Honors and Distinction and a Bachelor’s degree in French and International Studies, both from the University of Kansas.

Before entering law, Douglas was deeply committed to education, serving as an ESOL Services Administrator and teacher in Kansas City Public Schools, as well as a Teach for America corps member. He is fluent in French, has advanced proficiency in Spanish, and is admitted to practice in Kansas, Missouri, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, and before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

In his spare time, Doug enjoys traveling, cooking for friends, gardening, and spending time with his two hound dogs, May and Kauffman. He’s also passionate about art and music, with a special appreciation for supporting local Kansas City artists, musicians, and museums

With his breadth of experience, commitment to service, and passion for helping others, Douglas is an outstanding addition to Shepherd Elder Law Group.