FAMILY LAW ARTICLES
Carla L. Hartley, Esq. Recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers
We are proud to announce that Carla L. Hartley, the Managing Partner at Hartley Lamas Et Al., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for her dedication, leadership and achievement in the field of family law. With a notable career that has focused on helping those in need, it is a great honor to be selected for her work on cases that involve divorce, child custody, grandparents’ rights, adoption, and domestic violence.
Education and Military Background
Carla earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and served in the United States Marine Corps as a signals intelligence analyst before pursuing her law degree. While attending law school, Ms. Hartley was employed full time at a local long-time family law firm in numerous roles, including receptionist, file clerk, law clerk, research attorney, and more.
Ms. Hartley then graduated with High Honors from Ventura College of Law and was subsequently hired by another premier firm as an associate attorney where she remained until opening her own firm in 2009.
Opening Her Own Family Law Practice
In 2009, Ms. Hartley opened her own family law practice, the Law Offices of Carla L. Hartley, before founding Hartley Lamas Et Al. in 2014 as Managing Partner. Carla expanded her focus across all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, adoption, elder abuse, and domestic violence. She brings additional expertise to areas such as military divorce, gray divorce, and grandparents’ visitation rights.
Hartley Lamas Et Al. has specialized skills in cases involving jurisdictional disputes centered on movement of military and non-military persons. These disputes fall under both the UCCJEA (custody disputes inside the United States) and the Hague Convention (international custody disputes).
Distinguished Legal Career
Throughout her career, Carla has been consistently recognized for her skills and achievements. From being selected for inclusion in Lawyers of Distinction and Top 100 Family Law Attorneys in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates, to being recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, and a California Top Lawyer by The Legal Network, Carla’s contributions to the legal profession have been widely recognized and celebrated.
Time as a Legal Professor
In addition to her family law practice, Carla has sought to pass on her legal knowledge and expertise to aspiring lawyers. She served as an adjunct professor of law at Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law from 2014 to 2019 where she taught Advanced Legal Writing and Federal Civil Procedure.
Work with Nonprofits
One of Carla’s proudest accomplishments is her involvement in co-founding the Pray for the Courts organization, a non-profit dedicated to providing spiritual support to court staff and fostering a positive and supportive environment within the legal system. Through her involvement with Pray for the Courts, Carla has been able to combine her passion for justice with her deep faith, making a meaningful impact in the lives of those around her.
Congratulations to Carla L. Hartley, Esq.
Carla’s success is driven by her strong work ethic, her commitment to upholding the values instilled in her by her father and her experiences in the Marine Corps, and her deep faith, which continues to guide her actions every day. For Carla, the practice of law is not just a profession, but a calling—a calling to serve others, seek justice, and make a positive difference in the world.
As we celebrate Carla’s well-deserved recognition by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers, we are reminded of the profound impact she has had on our firm, our clients, and the legal profession as a whole. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside her as she continues to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.
Congratulations to Carla Hartley on being recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers. We are proud of not only her achievements and leadership in the field of family law, but to have her as the Managing Partner of our law firm.
