Heather F. Hartley’s commitment to veterans’ rights is deeply personal and rooted in her family’s legacy of service. For Heather, advocating for veterans is more than a career—it’s a mission to ensure that those who have sacrificed for our country’s freedom receive the justice and support they deserve. She is particularly dedicated to securing recognition and compensation for the spouses and families of veterans, whose own sacrifices are often overlooked.
Heather’s educational background in psychology and criminal justice equips her with a unique understanding of the challenges veterans and their families face. She earned dual degrees in these fields from Georgia College and State University in 2015, where she was a Dean’s List honoree from 2013 to 2015. Driven to make a difference in the legal field, she went on to obtain her law degree from Mercer Law School in 2018, where she served as Secretary of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In 2021, Heather’s commitment to her profession was recognized by the Florida Bar.
Heather handles a range of complex cases, from Regional Office claims to Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearings. Her work includes representing clients in Board hearings before judges, as well as handling specialized claims like Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) claims, secondary claims, and exposure claims related to Agent Orange, burn pits, and AFFF. Heather’s combination of education, experience, and empathy enables her to be an outstanding advocate for her clients.
For Heather, every case is a chance to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. She stands by her clients with unwavering dedication, ensuring they receive the benefits and recognition they deserve.
