Richard L. Hartley was raised in a small cabin on the shores of Sebec Lake in rural Maine. Home-schooled during the early years, Rick then graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1989. He went on as only the second student from his high-school to attend Princeton University, graduating with a degree in Russian History.

After living abroad for a time, Rick made the commitment that he would return to Maine to practice law. Immediately following Law School Rick became the resident prosecutor for Sagadahoc County. In his tenure as prosecutor, attorney Hartley became intimately familiar with all facets of Maine's criminal justice system. He acted as legal counsel and conducted legal training for numerous law enforcement agencies. He also honed his trial skills during hundreds of trials, many before juries.

Since 2002, Rick has dedicated himself entirely to criminal defense. He has defended clients against charges of murder, manslaughter, sex crimes, robbery embezzlement, drug trafficking, operating under the influence (OUI), operating after revocation (OAR), domestic assault, and a variety of other felony and misdemeanor charges in both state and federal courts. Rick is a member of the bar of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

Committed to criminal defense, attorney Hartley served on the Board of Directors for the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (MACDL). He was elected first as the Vice-President and then the President of MACDL, Maine's voice for it's criminal defense bar.

In 2009, Rick was honored by his selection as Top 100 Trial Lawyer, by the american Trial Lawyers Association - an honor which he as again received for each year since.

Moreover, In his daily practice as a criminal defense attorney, Rick is a savvy negotiator and a tireless advocate in the courtroom for each and every client.