Leslie Hartnett concentrates her legal practice on employment and business litigation disputes. 

Leslie is well-versed in handling all aspects of litigation from pre-suit investigation, dispositive motions, and depositions to settlement negotiations and trial. Leslie has tried multiple cases to verdict providing valuable experience that informs her practice at every level. 

Leslie regularly represents clients in state and federal court in disputes related to non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and claims of tortious interference with business and contractual relations. In these matters, she frequently seeks and opposes temporary and permanent injunctive and other relief on behalf of her clients.

Leslie also advises clients on a wide range of employment matters, including best practices to avoid litigation and compliance with state and federal laws such as Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disability Act, and Pregnancy Discrimination Act. When litigation is unavoidable, Leslie represents clients in lawsuits and arbitrations arising from these provisions.

In addition to her regular practice, Leslie serves as the firm’s liaison to FordHarrison’s pro bono partner Habitat for Humanity International. In this role, Leslie works with the international organization and local Habitat affiliates across the country. 

Honors & Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch - Labor and Employment Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2024)
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2023
  • Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of client pursuing breaches of customer non-solicitation agreement against former employees.
  • Obtained declaratory judgment finding restrictive covenant unenforceable resulting in the dismissal of multiple causes of action against client.
  • Defended clients from claims of tortious interference with business and contractual relations, breaches of restrictive covenants, and ultimately obtained early and favorable settlement. 
  • Performed outside counsel investigations of misconduct and potential discrimination for clients. 
  • Represented former executive against former company to enforce grant of equity shares in start-up company.
  • Represented third-party witnesses in contentious restrictive covenant case and successfully kept third-party from being brought into the case. 
  • Successfully defended client from former employer’s petition for temporary restraining order seeking to prevent employee from working in larger Atlanta metro area. 
Education
  • Charleston School of Law
    J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
  • University of Miami
    B.S., 2011
Memberships
  • Atlanta Bar Association
  • Georgia Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Atlanta Women’s Foundation, 2022
  • Women in Law Committee, 2022 
     
Bar Admissions
  • Georgia
  • South Carolina
Court Admissions
  • Supreme Court of Georgia
  • Georgia State Court
  • South Carolina State Court
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina