Hartmanlaw Firm
Leading the way. Shining a light. Clearing a path.
That’s our Mission at Hartmanlaw. Guiding each and every homebuyer and seller, real estate agent and lender through the labyrinthian process of the real estate closing. And doing so with care, safety, efficiency and – dare we say it – some fun along the way? Hartmanlaw, LLC is a friendly, resourceful boutique law firm specializing in real estate closings and providing ancillary services related to real estate law, title examination, title insurance and estate planning. The firm has proudly performed an estimated 50,000 real estate closings since its inception in 1998. Andrew Hartman established his firm with an unwavering foundation in the ethical practice of law. Additionally, the firm’s well-known benchmark trait is its commitment to superb customer service. We strongly believe in providing large firm knowledge with small town friendliness. We always utilize the latest computer technology and data protection systems in order to better serve our clients with higher quality legal representation, efficiency and protection for personal data and transfer of funds. We operate under the Qualia closing management platform. The firm has been a multiple-year Reader’s Choice winner for Woodstock Magazine and The Townelaker, and has been honored as Affiliate of the Year multiple times by several local Realtor Boards. In 2020 Mr. Hartman received the President’s Award from the Cherokee Association of Realtors, and in 2023 he received a Community Service Award from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s department. Andy Hartman teaches monthly continuing education courses to Realtors on a variety of topics relevant to the industry. Hartmanlaw maintains Georgia closing offices in Alpharetta, Cartersville, Jasper, Woodstock, Kennesaw and Rome — and can “go mobile” for you as well.So, what can we do for you?
Attorney Bios
Andrew W. Hartman, Partner
Andy Hartman moved to Georgia in 1996 from South Bend, Indiana, where he grew up. Prior to starting his solo practice in 1998, began his law career with Robertson & Walker LLC advising on all general business and civil legal matters, including litigation and conducting real estate closings and title examinations. Graduated with B.A. with honors, Indiana University, 1992, with Journalism & Marketing degrees. J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law, 1996 (in law school received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award).
Published author in the DePaul Arts & Entertainment Law Journal and in a law school textbook entitled A Copyright Anthology: The Technology Frontier. Clients include local and national banks, mortgage companies, real estate agencies and corporate and private investors.
Andy routinely advises the local real estate community on trending real estate legal matters and changes in the laws and procedures related to real estate closings through continuing education seminars, training manuals, and weblog postings.
Bar Admissions: Georgia.
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Member, Real Property Law Section, American Land Title Association (ALTA)
Christina J. Adams, Senior Associate Attorney
Born in Portland, Maine, Christina Adams has been a Georgia resident since 1992. Graduated with B.S., Kennesaw State University, 1996, (Dean’s List, ten out of ten semesters, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society); J.D., with honors, Emory University School of Law, 1999 (Order of the Coif, Attorney’s Title Guaranty Fund Award Recipient for 1999, Emory Law School Full Tuition Scholarship, Semi-Finalist RWA Oral Arguments, Emory Public Interest Committee Grant Recipient).
Prior to joining Hartmanlaw, LLC, Christina was with Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP where she worked in the commercial real estate department representing national and international clients.
Christina has logged over 20 years in service to our clients at Hartmanlaw. She focuses on closings, representing local and national lending institutions, developers, builders, landlords, buyers and sellers in the financing, development, leasing, purchase, and sale of commercial and residential real estate; and representing individuals in connection with last wills and testaments, durable powers of attorney, advanced directives, and living wills. She is also proficient in organizing or incorporating small businesses.
Bar Admissions: Georgia.
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Member, Real Property Law Section
O’Neil Anderson, Attorney
Education: B.S. Psychology
Double minor in Spanish and English
North Georgia College and State University, 2004
J.D. John Marshall Law School, Atlanta, 2009
Bar Admissions: Georgia
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Member, Real Property Law Section, Pickens County Board of Realtors Affiliate Member, Rotary Club of Jasper.
O’Neil was born in Decatur, Alabama but has deep roots in North Georgia going back several generations. She lived her formative years in Dahlonega, Georgia and moved to Jasper in 2016 to enjoy the peaceful mountain lifestyle of her childhood.
O’Neil formerly worked in private practice focusing primarily in family law, and was a registered mediator for general civil and domestic relations mediation before transitioning into real estate. O’Neil now serves a managing attorney in the Jasper office.
O’Neil takes a keen interest in people and even in the most challenging of situations, truly enjoys her work in helping them to meet their goals in real estate and estate planning. According to many friends and colleagues, she is also known to retain a freakish amount of information about a lot of things.
Prior to law school, O’Neil studied abroad in both Santander and Salamanca, Spain to learn Spanish and study history and culture.
In her spare time, O’Neil enjoys spending time with her children, reading with her Scottie dog, gardening, cooking and genealogical research. Though her dreams of becoming a famous singer may be dashed due to privacy concerns and admittedly perhaps a lack of sufficient talent, she one day soon hopes to take up the hobby of beekeeping.
Frances McKinney, Attorney
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Frances McKinney moved to Tucker, Georgia in 1975. After attending the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) for 2 years, Frances graduated with a B.A. in Management from Georgia State University in 1989. J.D., Georgia State University School of Law, 1992.
A 28 year veteran in the real estate biz, Frances began her career when she opened her own firm after law school, Suarez & Associates, PC focusing solely on residential real estate closings. She built her practice by focusing on the Hispanic community and was the first attorney to do residential real estate closings in Spanish. Frances eventually went on to merge the firm with the default law firm of Rubin Lublin, LLC and helped to form their REO Department. She handled seller representation for REO sellers, including Fannie Mae in Georgia and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs nationwide.
Frances focuses on residential real estate closings and routinely advises the local real estate community on trending real estate matters and changes in the laws and procedures related to real estate closings through continuing education seminars. Frances is also a licensed Realtor in Georgia.
When not at work, you can find Frances at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios or at some other fun travel destination.
Bar Admissions: Georgia, Tennessee
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Real Property Law Section, Cherokee Association of Realtors
Danika Fishbein-Seegott, Attorney
Originally from Allentown Pennsylvania, Danika Fishbein-Seegott is a Graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor receiving her B.A. In Sociology in 1994. Golden Key National Honor Society & Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority Member. Her academic pursuits led her to Emory University School of Law receiving her JD in 1997.
Danika has been practicing in the area of Residential Real Estate for close to 15 years. Prior to finding her Passion as a Closing Attorney, she served in Sales and Business Development roles for companies including TrialGraphix and Special Counsel working with several of Atlanta’s top Law Firms.
Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband and has visited close to 50 countries.
Bar Admissions: Georgia
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Member, Real Property Law Section
Meredith Ditchen-Oakley, Attorney
Meredith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and has lived in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia. She entered Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois and spent a summer studying abroad in Grenoble, France before graduating with Honors in Political Science and French in 1992. At Marquette University Law School, she was on the Marquette Law Review and served as a student intern with the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She graduated cum laude in 1997 and was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1998.
Meredith maintains an active legal career and practice beyond the Hartmanlaw closing table. She is a also a mediator, arbitrator and serves as Guardian Ad Litem in all Metro-Atlanta Counties in Superior and Juvenile Courts. Meredith practices in the areas of family law, adoption, estate planning and wills, probate and guardianship and small business services. In her companion family law practice, Meredith believes in whole life solutions to legal problems and is dedicated to helping clients move beyond their legal problems to a brighter tomorrow.
Meredith and her husband live in Marietta with their five children. When Meredith is not practicing law, she is volunteering with her local PTA, where she has been an officer for seven years. She has participated in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day breast cancer 60 mile walk in Atlanta twice. She is active in her children’s activities and enjoys public speaking.
Sharon Melcher, Attorney
Sharon Melcher grew up in North Carolina and moved to Georgia in 1986 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in the Administration of Criminal Justice. She was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1991, after earning her J.D. at Georgia State University School of Law.
She has several years of experience in estate planning, as well as 20 years of experience in real estate law, doing residential closings and reviewing real estate titles. Prior to that, she gained experience in criminal prosecution, criminal defense and family law.
Outside of the office, Sharon enjoys hiking with her family and friends. She is also very active in her church, Eastminster Presbyterian, where she is an elder.
Bar Admissions: Georgia
Professional Memberships: State Bar of Georgia, Member, Real Property Law Section
Garrett Michael, Attorney
Garrett grew up in Dayton, Ohio, but has been a Georgia resident since 2010. Though a lifelong Buckeye fan, he opted for the bright lights in Athens, GA when it came to completing both his undergraduate and law degrees. Yes, you may have heard the 2022 Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Georgia referred to as “The Garrett Michael Bowl.”
While completing his journalism degree, he won a Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GABBY) Award for a story on a Georgia Football relic. In law school, he was the president of the Dean’s Ambassadors Program and competed on the Negotiations team. In 2019, he and his partner won the ABA Regional Championship for Negotiating in Fort Worth, Texas.
Garrett has worked in real estate law since 2021. He’s fluent in title clearing, contract review, and fun closings. He takes pride in the areas he serves by routinely attending local real estate association meetings, chamber of commerce events, and other happenings around town. Garrett continues to put his journalism degree to use by creating fun real estate closing related videos, with some helpful tips and tricks sprinkled in.
Outside of the office, Garrett’s world revolves around his wife, Emma, and their family and friends. He enjoys all types of physical activity, from golf, pickup basketball, and flag football league, to crazy Crossfit-style workouts that Emma puts him through.