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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 3 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 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Holly | February 27, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Wonderful, child focused
Carla was amazing through my divorce process. She stayed focused on the most important thing, my daughter. Kept me grounded and guided me through the most difficult time in my life with grace and a clear plan. She communicated the plan clearly and ensured I understood what was she was saying even the...
Carla Hartley
Replied last March 02, 2023Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Holly. You were such a joy to work with and we are very happy for you and your daughter. We feel very blessed that you chose us to be a part of your journey. Read less
Posted by Mario | March 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great help
Carla Hartley helped me with my case when I was facing some hard times she guided me and made everything less stressful highly recommended
Posted by Mitzi | May 14, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
There’s no better choice
Prior to contacting Hartley Lamas I had consulted 5-6 other attorneys in Ventura County. At each consultation I learned the attorney’s fees and how said fees were calculated but I learned little to nothing about anything else so after each consultation I left feeling confused, defeated and hopeless.....
Posted by Veronica | July 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Compassionate law firm
The question I asked myself for close to a year was “How can you repay someone for keeping your family together?” I was walking out of my house for an outing one day in June 2018 with my husband and two children when a man pulled up in a dark sedan, rushed towards me and said “Are you Veronica? I hav...
Carla Hartley
Replied last July 29, 2019Veronica, thank you so much for this kind review. My prayer for you and your family is that you live wonderful, long lives together. Never look back, my dear.
Posted by Jorge | August 03, 2018 | Hired Attorney
A SPARK OF LIGHT
I will be forever indebted to Mrs Hartley. She saved my daughter. I would describe. first and foremost, Mrs. Hartley as tenacious and strong leader. A no nonsense, pragmatic individual. Which is what's needed when emotions are running high and your feel confused about the situation. Although...
Carla Hartley
Replied last August 03, 2018This case was a bit of a brawl. The stakes were high: we had a great Dad for a client, and opposing party was placing their little child at serious risk. It was our great privilege to be able to represent Dad in this case, and to protect and defend that child.
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