Email Bob@HartmannLawFirm.net

Phone 714-381-1366

Decades in the courtroom shaped Bob into a legal force. He pairs deep experience with creativity, empathy, and strategy to deliver optimal client results. With him by your side, you are never alone. Not only does he specialize in putting on the best legal defense while making his clients sympathetic to judges and juries, but he also builds a strong, trust-based relationship with each client.

Unlike other attorneys who tell you what you want to hear, Bob advises clients on what they need to hear. His calling card is empathy, in understanding just how much stress and anxiety being charged with a crime puts on a client and their family. While representing you, he and his team do everything possible to reduce that pressure. And ultimately, you can rest assured everything possible is being done to get you the best possible result.

Bob’s dedication is shown by the effort he undertook to earn the recognition of Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of California, a distinction held by fewer than 400 of more than 190,000 licensed attorneys. He earned the honor in 2005.

Doing so requires far more than the regular practice of criminal law. To become certified, Bob successfully passed a rigorous written examination demonstrating his advanced understanding of criminal law and procedure, received strong evaluations from fellow defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges familiar with his courtroom work, and he annually completes continuing education requirements exceeding those required of non-certified attorneys.

Here is what the California State Bar says a certified criminal law specialist can do for you:

Download the Legal Specialization Pamphlet

To maintain his certification, Bob must recertify every five years by documenting his trial and evidentiary hearing experience, providing further professional references, and demonstrating his legal knowledge remains current and exemplary.

The written exam, ongoing educational requirements, and favorable evaluations of both attorneys and judges intimidate some defense counsel. Not Bob. He's committed to gaining the edge for his clients, a trait he has embraced since law school. Upon graduating from UCLA, then Loyola Law School with a stint at Oxford University, he began practicing criminal law in 1987. Since then, he has specialized in defending individuals in all types of criminal cases, as well as complex white-collar criminal cases, in state and federal court throughout the United States.

Enjoying an impressive career spanning roles as a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem, an adjunct professor of law, and the author of the 2026 book, Making It Rain, The Art of Building A Successful Law Practice, Bob is widely seen as a criminal defense authority. Even attorneys at top national law firms, where criminal law isn’t their specialty, turn to him when their clients need expert representation.

In 1991, Robert founded the Hartmann Law Firm, where he is owner and principal. He is also passionate about helping at-risk youth, serving for over 20 years as a board member for Boys Town California and co-founder of the Uncork for Hope Foundation. 

Email Stephanie@HartmannLawFirm.net

Phone 714-381-1366

Stephanie is our senior paralegal and office manager and is integral to the client experience and our ongoing success. In 2026, she celebrates her ten-year anniversary with the Hartmann Law Firm. She graduated with honors from Saddleback College and earned her Paralegal Certificate from the University of California, Irvine, with an emphasis in litigation, research, and corporate law. Stephanie is also a member of the Orange County Paralegal Association.

Steph has 25 years of experience in the legal field, having worked in workers’ compensation, wills and trusts, family law, civil litigation, and corporate law, and has spent the last ten years with our firm focusing on criminal defense.

Steph’s day-to-day responsibilities include assisting with all aspects of criminal and juvenile cases from start to finish. She guides clients and their families through the intake process with empathy and professionalism, and clients and referral sources value her strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence during times of stress and anxiety.

Our practice benefits greatly from Steph’s exceptional multitasking abilities. She assists with calendaring, schedules DMV administrative hearings, prepares files, communicates with clients, drafts legal documents, and conducts research. She reviews and summarizes law-enforcement and medical reports and corporate accounting records, transcribes body-worn camera footage and other recorded law-enforcement interviews, prepares and submits electronic filings, and generates detailed case reports. Steph plays a key role in trial preparation by organizing evidence, preparing exhibits, coordinating witness interviews, and ensuring that everyone is where they need to be in the courtroom.

In addition, Steph oversees the firm’s daily office operations, including scheduling, correspondence, supply management, corporate governance and compliance, insurance audits, and administrative support to keep the office running smoothly.

Outside the office, Steph enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and running. Her goal is to complete one marathon each year as well as shorter races, and she volunteers her time at her church and local food banks.

Email Paloma@HartmannLawFirm.net

Phone 714-381-1366

Often, the first person a new client or referral source speaks with at the Hartmann Law Firm is our legal assistant, Paloma Cornejo. She has been a valued team member since 2022.

Paloma plays a key role in keeping our cases on track. She manages the firm’s calendar, schedules client meetings, monitors court dates, and tracks filing deadlines. She assists with conference and video calls, interacts with court staff, and prepares basic legal correspondence. Paloma also corresponds with the DMV regarding administrative hearings and keeps clients updated on the status of their cases.

Paloma earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical psychology at Vanguard University. She also serves as an MFT Trainee at Vanguard’s Counseling Center, where she is accruing supervised clinical hours toward licensure as a clinical psychologist.

In her free time, Paloma enjoys going movies and spending time with her family.