R. Anthony Hartsoe
Managing Attorney
For Tony, the law is a calling, not a job. He is a mountain boy, with simple, straightforward values. Tony loves what he does, and loves to help people through some of the toughest moments anyone will ever face. With four children, a marriage that has lasted more than 35 years, work experience beginning at 12 years old, and the heritage of two farming families from rural North Carolina, Tony can relate to most of his clients and their problems.
Tony has worked for some of this state's most elite law firms before striking out on his own, representing Fortune 100 companies in a variety of complex practice areas. He has handled cases in the areas of every aspect of family law, bankruptcy, business litigation, IRS and Department of Revenue tax collections, products liability, serious personal injury, workers' compensation, estate and real estate litigation, and business coaching and formation. He has run his own businesses, including this law firm, giving him a wealth of experience to apply to a client's situation. Having appeared and participated in cases in our state's trial and appellate courts, as well as all of North Carolina's federal district courts and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Tony knows how to aggressively yet practically manage litigation at virtually any level.
Areas of Practice
- Family law
- Serious personal injury
- Church law
- General litigation
- IRS problems
- Medical malpractice
- Business coaching
- Commercial/business
- Rental car
- Constitutional law
- Products liability
- Christian mediation/arbitration
- Insurance coverage
- Appellate Law/Appeals
- Family Law Mediator
- Guardian ad Litem in Custody Matters
- Parent Coordinator
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified Family Financial Mediator, State of North Carolina since 2001
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1994
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1995
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 1995
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 1994
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1994
Education
- Washington University School of Law St. Louis, Missouri, J.D., 1994
- Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, B.A.,1987
Published Works
- “Person or Thing - In Search of the Legal Status of a Fetus: a Survey of North Carolina Law,” 17 Campbell L. Rev. 169 (1995).
Law Journals Citing/Quoting Tony’s Work
- Wake Forest Law Review, McAllister v. HA: Wrongful Conception or Misconception?, Debra Batten, April 6, 2001.
- 9 Duke J. of Gender & Pol'y 171, Ferguson v. City of Charleston and Child Welfare, Chris Sinha.
- Seton Hall Law Review, Fins, Pins, Chips & Chins: A Reasoned Approach to the Problem of Drug Use During Pregnancy, D. Antoinette Clarke, February 16, 2000.
- Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Emerging Legal Issues pertaining to Child Victimization, Vol. 8, Issue 3, Jeff Maahs, June 18, 2004.
- 56 Vand. Law Rev. 1523 (2003), Fetal Surgery and Wrongful Death Actions on Behalf of the Unborn: An Argument for a Special Standard, Jonathan Dyer Stanley.
- New York International Law Review, Cryogenics, Frozen Embryos and the Need for New Means of Regulation: Why the U.S. Is Frozen In Its Current Approach, Vol. 11, No. 2 (Summer 1998), Kimberly E. Diamond.
- 41 Wm and Mary L. Rev. 1845(May 2000), Note: Fetal Homicide: Woman Or Fetus As Victim? A Survey of Current State Approaches and Recommendations For Future State Application, Sandra Smith.
- 58 Duke L.J. 1107 (March 2009), Abandonment and reconciliation: addressing political and common law objections to fetal homicide laws Douglas Curran.
- 29 Hofstra L. Rev. 931 (Spring 2001), Note: Inconsistencies In The Legal Status of An Unborn Child: Recognition of a Fetus As Potential Life, Mamta K. Shah
Courts Citing Tony’s Work in Decisions
- Cited as authority by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in McAllister v. HA, 126 N.C.App. 326 (1997), a case of first impression on the issue of wrongful conception.
- Cited generally by Alabama Supreme Court in In re Anonymous, 1998.
- Cited as authority by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in State of Wisconsin v. Deborah J.A., No. 96-2797-CR, 1999.
Representative Appellate Cases
- Jeffreys v. Snappy Car Rental, Inc., 128 N.C.App. 171 (1997) – (Pivotal case in auto insurance law that is still the primary authority on the issue of primary vs secondary coverage where rental vehicles involved. See NC Lawyers Weekly opinion.)
- Benavides v. Summit Structures, Inc., et al., 118 N.C.App. 645; 456 S.E.2d 339 (1995) – (Worker’s Compensation case clarifying the law on an employee’s responsibilities in returning to employment offered them after an injury)
- Allred v. Capital Area Soccer League, et al., 669 S.E.2d 777; 2008 N.C.App LEXIS 2265, January 14, 2008– (Case of first impression on the issue of whether there is a claim in North Carolina for injuries caused by a ball kicked into the stands at a professional soccer match—the Court ruled in our client’s favor. See: Watch Out For Soccer Balls, They Can Be Dangerous, Unusual Sports Related Injury Case Plaintiffs Failing to Win Damages, Operators Have a Duty to Maintain Facilities for a Safe Environment, and Spectator hit by soccer ball can sue, court rules.
Representative Clients
- Enterprise Leasing Company-Southeast
- Britthaven Nursing Homes
- Whiteheart Construction Company
- Davenport Engineering
- ELCO
- Cambridge Integrated Services
- Southern Insurance Underwriters
- Dealer's Choice
Honors & Awards
- Who's Who of American Lawyers
- Strathmore Who's Who
- Business North Carolina's Legal Elite - 2012, 2013
- Business Leader Magazine: Triad's Top 50 Entrepreneurs
- American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Family Lawyer 2014, 2015
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel - Nation's Top One Percent Award
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 - 2014, 2015
- AVVO.com - "10" Rating
- AVVO.com - Client's Choice Award - 2013, 2014
- Lawyers.com - Client Satisfaction Award
Professional Associations & Memberships
- North Carolina Bar Association, 1994 - Present
- Forsyth County Bar Association, 1994 - Present
- 21st Judicial District Bar Association, 1994 - Present
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- North Carolina Bar Association, Chair, Technology Advisory Committee, 2000 - 2001
- North Carolina Christian Family Law Attorneys
Past Employment Positions
- Founded Hartsoe & Associates, P.C., 2000
- Bell, Davis & Pitt - Winston-Salem, NC, Associate Attorney, 1999 - 2000
- Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC - Winston-Salem, NC, Associate Attorney, 1994 - 1999
- United States Department of Justice - Washington, DC, Legal Assistant (Intern), 1994
- United States Senate - Judiciary Committee - Washington, DC, Staff Legal Assistant (Intern), 1994
- Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC - Winston-Salem, NC, Summer Associate, 1993
- United States Attorney's Office - Sacramento, CA, Summer Law Clerk, 1993
- Walther Glenn Law Associates - St. Louis, MO, Law Clerk, 1992
- Pender & Coward - Virginia Beach, VA, Summer Law Clerk, 1992
- Professor Richard Lazarus - Washington University - St. Louis, MO, Research Assistant, 1992
- American Center for Law and Justice - Virginia Beach, VA, Sumner Law Clerk, 1992
- Hanover Insurance Company - Richmond, VA, Multi-Line Claim Representative - Litigation Specialist, 1989 - 1992
- Aetna Life & Casualty Company - San Francisco, CA, Outside Liability Claim Representative, 1987 - 1989
- Aetna Life & Casualty Company - Washington, DC, Outside Liability Claim Representative, 1989
Past and Present Pro Bono/Community Activities
We financially support charities and causes throughout our community including Eureka House Ministries (assisting ex-offenders to re-establish housing and employment), The Downtown Street School (helping teens who might not otherwise do so graduate with a diploma), and Community Care Center (providing low cost medical and dental services for those who could otherwise not afford it).
Our firm has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of pro bono services to those in need since its inception, and continues to do so in cases meeting our criteria.
- Guardian Ad Litem Program
- Habitat for Humanity
- Legal Services of North Carolina Technology Working Coalition, Leadership Winston-Salem
- Association of Christian Athletes and other Faith-Based Community Services
- Vice-Chairman of the Board - Eureka House
- Board Member - Carenet Counseling
- Board Member - Love FAR
- Vice-Chair - Generations Church
- Vice-Chair United Family Church – Lewisville