About John W.
John W. Hartel earned his Bachelor of Arts from American University in 1985 and completed his Juris Doctor at George Mason University in 1988. He moved into practice soon after law school and began building a career focused on litigation in the mid-Atlantic. His education laid the groundwork for admission to several federal and state courts in the region.
Hartel's early career included a partnership at Anderson & Corrie, where he joined the firm in 1992. He later became a partner at DeCaro, Doran, Siciliano, Gallagher & DeBlasis, LLP in 1998. In 2000 he established Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP and took on the role of owner. Those moves track a steady progression from associate roles into firm leadership and firm ownership over the course of a decade.
He is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Hartel maintains memberships in a range of professional organizations. These include the American Bar Association, the Fairfax Bar Association, the Northern Virginia Defense Lawyers Association, the Virginia Association of Defense Lawyers, the District of Columbia Defense Lawyers Association, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Virginia State Bar. Membership in those organizations reflects ongoing engagement with the legal community in both Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Since founding Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP, he has managed the firm and its practice matters from that office. His work involves appearances in the federal and state courts where he holds admission. Colleagues and opponents who have worked with him describe a steady courtroom presence and a preference for addressing legal questions directly. He continues to handle litigation and court appearances through Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP. He currently practices at Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP, handling matters in the courts where he is admitted.
