About
The eldest son of the family, Will Hartnett graduated as Valedictorian from Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas. Will left home to study at Harvard University. After graduating from Harvard with honors, Will returned to Texas to obtain his law degree from the University of Texas.
Will was admitted to the Texas bar in 1981, and began practicing law with his father. In 1986 he became Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Will has been a partner in The Hartnett Law Firm since 1988.
In 1990, Will was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He represented North Dallas in the Legislature from 1991-2013, and served as either Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee for 14 years.
Will is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Texas Bar Foundation. In 1986 he co-authored “Annual Survey of Wills and Trusts,” 40 Southwestern Law Journal 337. He was voted a “Super-Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters in the from 2003-2023, and has been listed BL Ranking’s Best Lawyers® publication “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and in numerous other federal courts.
Will is married to Tammy Cotton. They have three sons, Will, Jr., Winston, and Warner.
