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Carla Leslie Hartley
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About Carla
Biography
A former United States Marine, Ms. Hartley has served in every possible position with a law firm, from receptionist/file clerk to law clerk and research attorney, to litigation attorney. While attending law school, Ms. Hartley was employed by a local long-time family law firm. Ms. Hartley graduated with High Honors from Ventura College of Law and was soon thereafter hired by another premier firm as an associate attorney where she remained until opening her own firm in 2009.
Ms. Hartley is a member of the Christian Lawyers Association and the Christian Legal Society. She was a founding member of the Ventura Teen Legal Clinic, and more recently, is a founding member and advisory board member of Pray for the Courts, Inc.
She has an outstanding work ethic and has a superb staff with an equally excellent sense of duty and professionalism.
Marine Corps Veteran & Experienced Family Attorney. Call For Help.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Child Custody
20%
19 years
Divorce and Separation
20%
19 years
Domestic Violence
20%
19 years
Family
20%
19 years
Fees and Rates
Awards
2019 2016 2015
...
+
4
2019 2012
Licenses
Licensed in Texas for 4 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2022
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 18 years
State: California
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find Carla online.
Carla Leslie Hartley's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
67 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 11 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Grandma | February 26, 2014 | Guardianship
Very happy grandparent
Ms. Hartley is a compassionate warrior, very detail oriented, and her staff is very good at communicating with her and the client, making changes to documents, even small ones, when asked. I've had lawyers tell me they would make changes to a document and for me to just sign the signature page, but t...
Posted by anonymous | May 13, 2012 | Child Custody
Just the attorney I needed!
After a bad experience with one attorney, I hired Mrs. Hartley to represent me in my child custody/visitation case, and it was the best thing I could have done. My former attorney actually hurt my case, so I needed someone who was going to help turn things around and Mrs. Hartley was the exact perso...
Posted by Gilbert | March 05, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
strong & outstanding lawyer
Hello my name is Gilbert. I strongly recommend Carla Hartley as your lawyer for Divorce & Child Custody. It is hard to go through the toughest time of your life not knowing what to do & not knowing too much about the law and your rights. Carla is a smart, sincere and a very professional woman that wi...
Carla Hartley
Replied last March 06, 2012Actually, I was an associate attorney at the time, not a paralegal. But thank you, so much, for the kind words!
Posted by A | October 17, 2011 | Divorce & Separation
I highly recommend Carla!
I interviewed four attorneys before I choose Carla for my divorce. She combines ethics, knowledge and superb "battle field" skills and always manages a smile! I was "outgunned" by my wife's legal team from the beginning but Carla never flinched- she fought hard for me. Each night I slept well knowi...
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2011 | Domestic Violence
Amazing Lawyer!
When I first contacted Carla I was a mess. I needed a restraining order and a judgement for child custody. Carla was very knowledgeable of the court system. What I appreciated was that she was realistic in the time-frame, and she never promised me anything that she wasn't sure of. She was very st...
Carla Leslie Hartley's Lawyer Endorsements
"A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"The practice of law is both a challenge and an opportunity. Ms. Hartley has met both. She has become one of the most respected attorneys in our legal community and has taken the opportunity to form a firm with over one hundred years of combined legal experience."
"Ms. Hartley is an outstanding example of integrity and professionalism. She is extraordinarily gifted in her knowledge of the law. She brings her marine corps background and her strong Christian values to the table when advocating for her clients. I endorse her enthusiastically."
"I endorse this lawyer. As a marine veteran, Ms. Hartley runs her practice with skill and precision. Her thorough knowledge of the law and her tenacity combine to produce a formidable adversary: one who knows the law to help her clients and the courts fashion appropriate outcomes."
"Carla Hartley is an outstanding attorney. Her knowledge and expertise are impressive. She is expertly conversant in all areas of the law in the family law realm and brings her integrity and commitment to each client she serves. I highly recommend."
"I have worked with Carla on numerous cases as opposing counsel. Carla is one of the most intelligent family law attorneys I know and always puts her clients first. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a family law attorney."
"I strongly endorse Ms. Hartley for any legal issue involving family law. She is an exceptionally hard-working and dedicated attorney with superb skills and extensive experience in family law. From her background serving in the Armed Forces, to her personal beliefs which guide her, it is easy to see that she is a person of integrity, character, and compassion for her clients, someone who will stand by her clients and fight for them - and also be there for them with a caring and supportive hand. If I had a friend or a loved one or a client seeking the most skilled and experienced local family law attorney, I would refer them to Ms. Hartley will full confidence that they would receive the best possible representation."
"Carla is a knowledgeable, experienced, and aggressive family law attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly recommend Atty. Hartley. She is a fierce and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated to her client's best interest."
"This lawyer is highly respected in the community. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Carla is a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney. I highly recommend her legal services."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tough-minded and determined."
"I endorse this lawyer. Atty. Hartley is knowledgeable and compassionate about her clients needs."
"Attorney Harley spends a lot of time responding to questions posted on this website with informative and considerate answers which reflect a high degree of knowledge and expertis. She shows compassion and a willingness to help clients during difficult times. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Hartley provides excellent answers to client concerns on Avvo and donates her time to this needed service."
"Ms. Hartley is a zealous advocate who thinks outside of the box and pays attention to details that other attorneys overlook. I recommend Ms. Hartley as a competent and thorough attorney in Family Law."
"Carla works hard to understand the interpersonal dynamics involved in the matters she works on. For her, cases are not simply facts and law, but she is able to work with her clients and counsel them. I strongly endorse Ms. Hartley."
"I endorse this lawyer. Carla is a sharp witted, outside-the-box thinker who brings these attributes to the table for his clients' benefit."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Hartley is a skilled and respected member of the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Hartley provides thoughtful, educated and experienced answers to the questions provided herein. Attorney Hartley provides a needed service by providing voluntary and free legal assistance to the individuals herein who are in need of immediate legal answers."
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Experience
Honors
2026
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
America's Most Honored Lawyers 2025 - Top 1%, America's Most Honored
2025
Martindale-Avvo Rated Top Lawyer 2025, Avvo
2024
2024 AV Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
America's Most Honored Lawyers 2024 - Top 1%, Americas Most Honored
2024
Martindale-Avvo Rated Top Lawyer 2024, Avvo
2018
Top 100 Family Law Attorneys in California, American Society of Legal Advocates
2018
Top 10% of Attorneys in America, Lawyers of Distinction
2017
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Honors, Trademark Women of Distinction
2017
Honors, Trademark Women of Distinction
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
California Top Lawyer, The Legal Network
2016
Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates
2015
Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates
2015
California Top Lawyer, The LEGAL NETWORK
2014
California Top Lawyers, The LEGAL NETWORK
2013
California Top Lawyer, The LEGAL NETWORK
2006
High honors, Ventura College of Law
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Managing Partner, HARTLEY, MAXWELL & CASTELLANO
2014 - 2020
Professor, Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges Of Law (Ventura Campus)
2011 - 2011
Partner, Hartley & Rhodes, PLC
2011 - 2013
Attorney, Law Offices of Carla L. Hartley
2009 - 2011
Attorney, Law Offices of Carla L. Hartley
2007 - 2009
Attorney, ROSS & PARVEX, LLP
2002 - 2007
Clerk/Secretary, Law Offices of Donna C. Santo
Associations
2020 - Present
Ventura County Bar AssociationMember, Board of Directors
2019 - Present
Ventura County Family Law Bar AssociationTreasurer
2014 - Present
Ventura/Santa Barbara College of LawProfessor
2009 - Present
Christian Lawyers AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Christian Legal SocietyMember
2008 - Present
Ventura County Family Law Bar AssociationMember
2008 - Present
A Church in VenturaMember
2007 - Present
Ventura County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2008 - 2012
Ventura Teen Legal ClinicFounding Board Member
2008 - 2015
Handel on the LawMember
1984 - 1991
United States Marine CorpsSergeant
Sample of Legal Cases
Primary custody awarded to father
Primary physical custody to Dad
High Asset Divorce with No Children
The transmutations were valid. My client received half the community interest in many businesses owned by opposing party prior to marriage, and half of many others acquired during marriage.
High Asset Divorce Proceeding with Fraudulent Concealment of Assets
Mom and the kids are together, and safe. Mom got a very high support award, half those “nonexistent” assets, and a huge attorney fee order in her favor.
Another Successful Challenge to California's Jurisdiction in Military-Related Case
Mother is not challenging jurisdiction in Father's home state. The matter is being dismissed in California and will proceed in Father's home state.
Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption
Father's rights terminated - adoption successful
Another Successful Grandparent Joinder
Over biological mom’s objection, grandparents’ request that they be joined to the action was granted.
Military Member - Fought California Jurisdiction
The Court found California could make no orders binding upon our client's pay, pension, or property. Our client has since filed for dissolution in that East Coast state, where he is formally stationed.
Multi Jurisdiction Divorce
Out of state case was dismissed. Case in California stayed alive.Client received joint legal, sole physical custody, visitation to opposing party was limited, and support was based on California law.
Hague Convention Case
Service accomplished according to Hague requirements. Opposing party was charged with the value of the assets taken. My client received the former family residence as her sole and separate property.
Spousal Support
After the video was shown, the parties reached a settlement very favorable to my client. He received a date certain for termination of spousal support.
Recovery of Abducted Children
Father has sole legal and sole physical custody; Mother has only supervised telephone visitation.
Obtaining Domestic Violence Restraining Order
After a contested trial, our client obtained a 5-year domestic violence restraining order against opposing party, and the Court granted her sole legal and sole physical custody of the minor children.
Post Judgment Defense of Pension Plan
Pension plan preserved as separate property.
Defense Against False Accusation of Domestic Violence
Sole legal, sole physical custody to Dad, with a NICE spousal and child support award payable by Mom to Dad.
Dissolution of Domestic Partnership
Our client received her one-half share of the substantial community estate, which the Court found dated from 2000 as we argued; and our client has primary custody of the child. We also received an excellent support order.
Settlement of Property Rights
Judgment with attached settlement agreement entered within 60 days of filing (though status not restored as single persons for another 4 months).
Contested Independent Adoption
My clients have adopted the child and the period of appeal has passed.
Independent Adoption
My clients have adopted the child and the period of appeal has passed.
Education
2007
Ventura College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1993
Univ of New Mexico
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Ventura College of Law
Advanced Legal Writing Instructor
2015
Los Angeles District Meeting
Social Media as Evidence
2015
Growing Through Divorce
Family Law Strategies and Christian Principles
2014
Growing Through Divorce
Family Law Strategies and Christian Principles
2014
Central Coast Direct Meeting and Election
Evidence and Investigators in Family Law
2011
Reconciliation in the City
Reconciling the church with the courts.
2010
Law Day 2010
How changes to Domestic Partnership Laws have affected the rights of our Senior Citizens
Publications
2010
Citations Magazine
My Mothers in Law
2009
Citations Magazine
The Unintended Consequences of Law
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Carla earned significant contribution points in 2019.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can my husband claim his dad’s house if he is in prison?
26 Feb 2024
Q&A
How can I kick my baby daddy out and keep the kid?
09 Feb 2024
Q&A
Who has jurisdiction in my child custody case?
09 Feb 2024