Over 20 Years of Law
Our History
Hartleys Lawyers was initially established in Deer Park, in 2001 by Principal Peter Love. From the beginning, Hartleys Lawyers has been dedicated to providing access to quality legal representation closer to home. Though the location may since have changed and expanded beyond the western suburbs, that dedication to service has not.
Now primarily located in Sunshine and Fitzroy, with a myriad of locations across Melbourne’s suburbs, the expansion does not stop at infrastructure. Our team of dedicated and experienced solicitors have diverse backgrounds and skills and have worked together to expand the practice areas of Hartleys Lawyers to offer assistance with Wills and Estates, Criminal matters, Conveyancing, and more.
Peter Love – In Memoriam
Born and raised in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Peter dabbled in a variety of industries before he settled into Law.
In 2001 Peter established Hartleys Lawyers as a sole practitioner. The firm began in a one room office in Deer Park with the motto “local lawyers for local people.” Peter was dedicated to assisting the people in his community.
Hartleys Lawyers grew quickly, and by 2002 had taken up residence on Ballarat Road in Sunshine, where it would stay for some two decades. The motto for servicing the local community remained as Hartleys Lawyers expanded to focus not only on providing services for those who required Legal Aid funding, but also to take on Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal matters, Wills for those who needed them through the Cancer Council, and a whole array of other work.
Over the years, Peter continued cultivating Hartleys Lawyers by hiring more solicitors and expanding to many more locations across Melbourne. Eventually the time came for Peter to step away from the day-to-day client work and instead focus on mentoring professionals. He dedicated his time to sharing his expertise and teaching best practice to those who were new to the industry, imparting on them the knowledge he developed over many years. In this way he was seen as a mentor to many of the solicitors who have worked for Hartleys Lawyers. As he was no longer running client files, Peter was able to be involved in all aspects of the business, where he used his vast skills from both his Law career and prior to nurture the firm into what it is today.
Peter was a private person, but those who knew him personally would say that he always had time for anyone. The countless hours he spent settling, guiding, supporting, and talking through and analysing complex areas of law with staff is not something readily seen today. He thought about others, often above himself, and was regularly a helpful guide through tough times. It wasn’t always so serious, of course – Peter always enjoyed sharing in a laugh, and his laugh was infectious.
Leaving behind a legacy of practitioners who strive for best practice, Peter lives on in Hartleys Lawyers. The processes and policies that he put in place to ensure our clients receive the best quality service are still in practice today.
Hartleys Lawyers continues operating in his memory – all still focused on providing the best possible representation to those in the local community.
Vale Peter Love
Our Approach to Family Law
At Hartleys Lawyers, we understand that much like every family is different, so is every family law matter. Each comes with its own complications and unique circumstances. We know that family law disputes are not limited to children, property, and divorce – they also include the emotions and personal elements of everyone involved. We believe that these difficult matters require an approach that recognises their complexity, and we are dedicated to finding the resolution method best suited for you.
Our Commitment
To Community
From the first day of operation, Hartleys Lawyers has represented not only privately funded matters, but also those with government assisted legal aid. Despite funding cuts and access restrictions limiting the matters which are eligible for legal aid funding, we continue to represent those we can who are in receipt of government assisted grants.
Our dedicated legal aid team are committed to providing the highest calibre of support from the very first steps – assisting with the application process to receive legal aid – right through to the finalisation of your matter.
As well as this, Hartleys Lawyers have several solicitors who are trained to act as Independent Children’s Lawyers. This role is appointed by the court and has the solicitor act independently of parents or other parties involved, focusing on what is in the best interest of the child or children involved.
Hartleys Lawyers also has a dedicated VOCAT clerk who works in conjunction with our solicitors to assist victims of crime in Victoria to complete an application to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, helping to achieve the best outcome possible.
sureerat Kraiwichet
2022-02-26
Steve very professional and knowledgeable. English is my second language it was really hard to understand with the law firm but Steve was working very hard to help everything work out very well. I really happy with the outcome.
Mohd rozaini Mahadi
2021-10-14
Base on my experience , I’ve been searching a lawyer for represent me going to court on my case. After I had done my research i set appointment with Ms Emel Kurt, after done with the appointment i had decide to hired her as my lawyer for my case. We been working together over a year until hearing date (14th October 2021). She did amazing work. She totally doing hard work prepare on my case . After the hearing court done, is really make me statisfy and the out come from the court is really make me happy which is my case were dismissed by the Majestret. To be honest she is one of the best lawyer and worth it to work together. Thank you so much Emel Kurt for did the amazing job.
Jason Luu
2021-09-08
Emel was fantastic all the way. Very professional and knowledgeable.
Everything worked out well. She never gave up to get a great outcome.
Thank you
sanjana neelkant
2021-09-07
The best thing about lawyer Emel Kurt was nothing was sugar coated. She had been straight forward and told me what to expect in every step. She was very honest about the risks included. No empty promises. My case was one of the most most complicated case and having it in my favour was a miracle. If it was not Emel Kurt I am pretty sure i wouldn't be able to get the seperation. Hats off to her and hartleys lawyers. Hats off to her patience. Cannot thank her enough.
Ranko Cosic
2021-05-10
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Ms Padro and Hartleys Lawyers for assisting me with a VOCAT application. The level of care, service and empathy that I received was exceptional and providing a five star review and public praise was the least I could do to reciprocate.
jun zheng
2021-02-22
Very professional and resonsible solicitor,especially Thorton Teow. Thumbs up!! Well done.
Lisah Pigdon jiggens (Gammagal)
2020-12-02
I am just beginning to use this legal firm and after I have finished up all my personal family law stuff, I'm almost positive that I shall rate them the extra star to give a perfect scoring.
Firstly I am rating early on in my fight because I feel it's important, during such dramatic times ,and particularly where one has been or felt, perhaps, mistreated by other firms or not called back, to be heard and have the correct voice!!
You can be reassured that nothing, not even covid 19, can or will stop these guys calling you back!!.
If you are in need of legal aid, these guys won't leave you stranded and filling out the forms alone.
Mine were done over the phone with a lovely male worker and now that I have a particular female attorney , I'm feeling more positive.
Just don't expect to be called every day if you're awaiting mediation because the law, lawyers, nomatter where or whom, can't act or really tell you anything, whilst waiting for outcomes of possible mediation.
Direct and honest.
It's what one needs in such circumstances.
At first I thought my women legal spoke harsh to me!!.
Believe me, I was just very overwhelmed at the time and really, a lawyer needs to be working for U with an iron fist, so to speak.
If you're feelings are so easily hurt, you may as well stop your whole case. Your obviously not ready.
Because whenever children etc and family laws involved, one must be at the peek of their strength.
These lawyers are the top ones because they're wanting winning outcomes.
Don't give up on them as they'll never quit on you..
malik malik
2020-09-22
Attentive, quality work by Josh. Good advice to minimise conflict with ex partner has left all stakeholders in a reasonable financial and emotional place to continue with their lives.
Srikanth Ramamurthy
2020-09-04
My expiernece was very positive. Previous lawyers had told me there was a 90% chances of not settling on my favor, but Emel Kurt was very aggresive and agile and helped me get out of them in 2 hearings. I have been recommending them to my friends.
Thilak Sunandasiri
2020-08-13
Invaluable professional service from *Hartleys Lawyers* . No headache and 100% success rate. Well experienced and really supportive team. I’m amazed at how beneficial the service has been in such a short period of time. They do add value to our situation which is one of the reasons we will refer the business to interested friends or family. Thank you for all your help