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Hartwell & Rao
Partner reviewing a matter file at her desk

A partner-led firm, built for consequential matters

Founded in New York in 2004, Hartwell & Rao now advises clients from four financial centres — with the same promise we started with: a partner on every matter, start to finish.

Aggregate transaction value advised
$120B+
Matters resolved across 38 jurisdictions
1,400+
Of clients return for a second mandate
94%
Partners, each leading matters personally
62
Our story

Started by two partners who believed clients deserved better

Jonathan Hartwell and Priya Rao left large-firm partnerships with a simple conviction: the lawyers who win the mandate should be the lawyers who do the work.

Two decades later that conviction still shapes everything we do — how we staff matters, how we price them, and how we measure success. We grow only as fast as we can hire partners who share it.

Founding partner working through a matter with colleagues

“The client should never have to wonder who is running their matter. It should always be a partner, and always the same one.”

Jonathan Hartwell, Founding Partner

What we stand for

Four principles behind every engagement

  1. 01

    Partner accountability

    A named partner leads every matter and stays on it. Staffing never changes without your agreement.

  2. 02

    Commercial judgment

    We start with the business outcome and work back to the legal path — not the other way round.

  3. 03

    Candour

    We tell clients what they need to hear, early, including when the answer is not to proceed.

  4. 04

    Predictable economics

    Fixed and capped fees on most mandates, agreed before work begins and reported against weekly.

Our history

Two decades of measured growth

  1. 2004

    Founded in New York

    Two partners and six lawyers open at 300 Park Avenue.

  2. 2011

    London office opens

    Disputes and arbitration practices established in the City.

  3. 2017

    Singapore office opens

    A hub for Asia-Pacific arbitration and cross-border M&A.

  4. 2023

    Dubai office opens

    Serving clients across the Gulf from the DIFC.

  5. 2026

    62 partners, 180+ lawyers

    Still partner-led, still one team on every matter.

Leadership

The partners who lead the firm

Each member of our leadership team continues to lead client matters personally.

  • Portrait of Jonathan Hartwell

    Jonathan Hartwell

    Founding Partner, Corporate · New York

    Leads the firm's M&A and capital markets practice. Twenty-five years advising boards on public takeovers and IPOs.

    • J.D., Columbia Law School
    • Admitted in New York
  • Portrait of Elena Marsh

    Elena Marsh

    Partner, Litigation · London

    Trial lawyer and former prosecutor who leads high-stakes commercial disputes and regulatory investigations.

    • LL.M., University of Cambridge
    • Solicitor-Advocate, England & Wales
  • Portrait of Kenji Arai

    Kenji Arai

    Partner, Arbitration · Singapore

    Acts as counsel and arbitrator in investor-state and commercial disputes across Asia and the Middle East.

    • LL.M., Harvard Law School
    • Admitted in Singapore and New York
Offices

One firm, four financial centres

  • New York

    300 Park Avenue
    New York, NY 10022, United States

    +1 (212) 000-0000

    Mon–Fri, 8:00–19:00 ET

    --:-- local · Open

  • London

    1 Bishopsgate
    London EC2N 3AQ, United Kingdom

    +44 20 0000 0000

    Mon–Fri, 8:00–19:00 GMT

    --:-- local · Open

  • Dubai

    Gate Village, DIFC
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    +971 4 000 0000

    Mon–Fri, 8:00–18:00 GST

    --:-- local · Open

  • Singapore

    Marina Bay Financial Centre
    Singapore 018983

    +65 0000 0000

    Mon–Fri, 8:30–18:30 SGT

    --:-- local · Open
Client perspective

Trusted when the stakes are highest

Attributed by role to preserve client confidentiality.

  • “They thought three moves ahead of everyone else at the table — including us. The deal closed a quarter early and without a single surprise.”
    Chief Executive OfficerGlobal logistics group
  • “In a matter that could have defined our company, the partner leading it was on every call. That is rare at any firm, and unheard of at this level.”
    General CounselListed technology company
  • “Their arbitration team found the argument that mattered in the first week and never let go of it.”
    Managing DirectorInfrastructure fund
  • “Fixed fees, weekly updates and no surprises on the invoice. It is the first firm our CFO has actively asked us to use more.”
    VP, LegalPayments infrastructure company
  • “Four offices, one plan. We had regulators in three jurisdictions and never once felt like we were talking to different firms.”
    Chief Legal OfficerEuropean industrial group
  • “Calm, precise and always available. Exactly who you want in the room when the board is watching.”
    Founder & ChairFamily-owned holding company

Careers

Build your career at Hartwell & Rao

We hire for judgment, not hours. Associates work directly with partners from day one, on matters that matter.

Enquire about roles

New enquiries

Speak with a partner this week

Tell us about your matter. A partner will review it and respond within one business day — in complete confidence.

Book a consultation+1 (212) 000-0000
  • Confidential from the first call
  • Conflict check within 24 hours
  • Fixed-fee options available
Email
counsel@hartwellrao.com
New York
+1 (212) 000-0000
London
+44 20 0000 0000
Dubai
+971 4 000 0000
Singapore
+65 0000 0000