Established Counsel · Brightford

Steady counsel for life's most serious decisions.

For three decades, families and businesses across the county have trusted Hartwell & Cole to protect what matters most — with judgment, discretion, and resolve.

30+Years of practice
4Core areas of law
FreeInitial consultation
H&C ATTORNEYS EST. 1994

Practice Areas

Focused expertise, when the stakes are high.

Whatever you are facing, you will work directly with an attorney who knows your case and your community.

Family Law

Divorce, custody, support, and adoption — handled with care during difficult transitions.

Estate Planning

Wills, trusts, and probate that protect your legacy and spare your family uncertainty.

Business Law

Formation, contracts, and disputes — practical guidance for owners who need clear answers.

Personal Injury

Serious injury and accident claims pursued with persistence — and no fee unless we win.

Why Hartwell & Cole

Established. Respected. Relentlessly client-first.

We are not the biggest firm in the county — by design. We take fewer clients so each one receives the attention their matter deserves.

Three decades of judgment

Experience earned in negotiation rooms and courtrooms across the region — and put to work for you.

You work with a partner

No hand-offs to junior associates. The attorney you meet is the attorney who handles your case.

Plain answers, honest counsel

We tell you where you truly stand — clearly, early, and without the billable-hour runaround.

Our Attorneys

Counsel you will come to know by name.

Margaret Hartwell

Founding Partner · Family & Estate

A respected advocate for families for over twenty-five years, Margaret is known for steady guidance through divorce, custody, and estate matters with both compassion and resolve. (Placeholder bio.)

James Cole

Partner · Business & Injury

James represents local businesses and injured clients with a tenacious, detail-driven approach honed over two decades of litigation and negotiation. (Placeholder bio.)

Visit & Contact

Request a confidential consultation.

Tell us briefly what you're facing and we'll arrange a time to talk. Your first consultation is complimentary and entirely confidential.

  • Office118 Court House Square, Suite 3
    Brightford, CA 95300
  • HoursMon–Thu 8:30am – 5:30pm · Fri 8:30am – 4:00pm

On the Square

Across from the courthouse

Ground-floor offices with parking behind the building. We also meet by phone and video when that's easier for you.

Request a Consultation

Facing a difficult decision? Let's talk it through.

A short, confidential conversation is often all it takes to know your options. There's no obligation — only clarity.

Request a Consultation