John Leonard Hartzell III

During the first half of my son's dependency case I was so focused on defending myself against the opinions of others that I was struggling through meeting my court requirements. CPS had filed a request to change the order to adoption as a primary and home placement secondary. I had just 3 months to ...overturn the decision and no time left to trip over my ego. John looked me right in the eye and called me out on my behavior like no one had ever done before. •He was sincere and unapologetic and stated the facts while keeping focused on what needed to be done verses what is being said about me. • helped me to focus on the desired outcome instead of conflicting feelings •put me in touch with agencies that provided documentation stating that the specific concerns against me were adressed, treated and in compliance with court requirements •caused me to acknowledge that the whole dependency was about meeting my son's needs and not about justifying myself and blaming others for pointing out defects in my character. As a result of John Hartzell's straight forward, no nonsense, brutal honesty I wrote a request for services acknowledging my need for counseling to prepare me for parenting my child effectively. My case was won simply because John Hartzell brought me to the very point where I acknowledged my own defects, admitted that the department was right in being concerned about the issues, humbly asking for help and accepting the responsibility of making the most out of the help I was given. There was not a dry eye on either side of the courtroom when the judge signed the order to return my son home to me. Thank you so much John Hartzell for everything you did for my son and I. Brian Bennett

Mr. Hartzell was appointed to represent me and explain the terms of the court contract after my disabled child entered state custody. I am a disabled military veteran who moved across the state in order to be able to regularly visit my child. I showed up to my first local court hearing and met Mr.... Hartzell the first time as I was literally being called up by the judge. He did not make eye contact with me, and as a client I felt very afraid and concerned that perhaps this man was incapable of respresenting my interests. We experienced an unpleasant phone call after the case was transferred from the originating county to Walla Walla. I felt that communicating with Mr. Hartzell was very difficult, as though our personalities clashed. The telephone fiasco was followed up by an email exchange detailing the offenses taken. I actually wrote up and submitted and the next day cancelled a complaint to the Washington State Bar Association. I continued to struggle to connect with Mr. Hartzell and found that as attorneys go, it was difficult to get him to commit to devoting any serious interest in the case until it was almost too late to help my son. The state had been asked by an abusive group home to prescribe a dangerous drug to my child, who needed therapy for his autism and speech deficit. I did many hours of research on behalf of my son's welfare, and throughout the process, Mr. Hartzell had a tendency toward negative thinking, suggesting my efforts were for a lost cause and that I could not win against the state. Eventually the prosecutor saw that I was correct about the medication and they stopped trying to get the judge to force my son to take the medication in question. It was one of the most stressful and horrifying experiences I can imagine going through as a bereaved parent, to be told by one's lawyer that there is no hope, to do all that research and be so exhausted, to be a loser before the hearing. It got so bad, I felt so desperate, and had been abandoned by my husband right before the argument about the medication had begun, that in fact I developed an attachment to this man. He noticed my gestures and made comments indicating enjoyment and interest in this new aspect of our interaction -- I actually believed that it was possible to have a relationship with this man that could better my son's life not only in the long term but right now: It turns out, I was too indiscreet and he requested that I allow him to withdraw from the case uncontested, after he made comments in person regarding approval of my body and dress. All in all? Working with Mr. Hartzell was way too much... work! I'm sure he does fine for certain clients, but some unlucky ones may find themselves questioning his loyalty, sincerity, intentions, and commitment. Not a good combination of things to be wondering about if you are in court vs. CPS/DSHS.

Like many people, I turned to Google to find an attorney to assist with our adoption. I stumbled upon Mr. John Hartzell III. I contacted him over the phone and he immediately make a good impression. He listened and provided a consultation determining our needs. He followed through on all steps ...of the adoption matter and kept me well-informed throughout the process. He was extremely knowledgeable and very responsive. He kept the case going all the while providing encouragement to our family. He offered solid advise and guidance which eventually ended up saving us money. It was a pleasure to work with him. I consider John Harttzell to be a TOP-NOTCH attorney and I would absolutely use him again. In addition, I would recommend him to others in need of a honest and trustworthy attorney.