Integrity First
Honest counsel, even when it's not what you hoped to hear. Your trust is the foundation of everything we do.
Our Story
Counsel You Can Trust,
Counsel You Can Trust,
Results You Can Measure
For more than 25 years, we've built our practice on a single belief: every client deserves an attorney who treats their matter as if it were their own.
Founder Portrait
1998
Est. by Eleanor Hartwell
Who We Are
A Firm Built on Principle
Hartwell & Associates was founded in 1998 by Eleanor Hartwell, a trial attorney who believed the region's families and businesses deserved big-firm capability without big-firm indifference. What began as a single-attorney practice above a Richmond bookshop has grown into a respected full-service firm.
Through it all, our standard has never changed. When you hire us, you work directly with your attorney — not a rotating cast of associates. We measure our success not in billable hours, but in the outcomes and relationships we build with the people who trust us with their most important matters.
Meet Our Attorneys
What Guides Us
Our Values
Four commitments shape every case we take and every client we serve.
Personal Advocacy
Direct access to your attorney at every stage — no gatekeepers, no runaround, no feeling like just another file.
Relentless Preparation
We out-prepare the other side. Meticulous groundwork is how good cases become winning outcomes.
Genuine Compassion
Legal matters are human matters. We meet every client with empathy, patience, and respect.
Our Journey
Twenty-Five Years of Advocacy
A brief history of the milestones that shaped our firm.
1998
The Firm Is Founded
Eleanor Hartwell opens a solo practice in downtown Richmond, focused on family and civil matters.
2006
Expansion Into Corporate Law
Growing demand from local businesses leads to a dedicated corporate and transactional practice group.
2013
A Landmark Verdict
The firm secures one of the region's largest reported settlements, cementing its reputation in the courtroom.
2019
New Headquarters
Hartwell & Associates moves to its current offices on Monument Avenue, with a team of seven attorneys.
Today
500+ Cases Won
A full-service firm trusted by individuals and businesses across the Commonwealth — still guided by the same founding principles.
500+
Cases Won
25+
Years Experience
98%
Client Satisfaction
7
Attorneys on Staff
Let's Talk About Your Case
Every strong outcome starts with a conversation. Reach out for a confidential, no-obligation consultation with our team.
Book a Consultation