Overview
Allison Hartnett joined Walton Lantaff as a law clerk in 1987 and has since remained a foundational figure within the firm, recently gaining recognition for her role as a Notable Managing and Loss Prevention Partner in Florida (2025). Raised in a small town in Connecticut, Ms. Hartnett began her academic journey at the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, before moving south to obtain her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami. During law school, she gained formative litigation experience as a member of the trial team and explored the field of juvenile justice during an internship with the Florida State Attorney’s Office.
Over the years, her storied career has gained numerous accolades, including being the first female firm leader and receiving honors from the Miami-Dade County Bar Association. Ms. Hartnett is also certified by the Florida Department of Insurance to provide continuing education credits to insurance adjusters and is a respected speaker on insurance defense matters throughout the state. Her primary area of practice includes representation of employers and carriers in the areas of labor and employment, workers’ compensation and insurance defense, with sub-specialties in claims involving general and premise liability, defamation, retaliatory and wrongful discharge, sexual harassment and hourly and wage disputes.
Ms. Hartnett credits the gentle inspiration of her mother, a civic activist heavily involved in lobbying, labor union and political engagement efforts, for laying the strong foundation for her life of advocacy. That early exposure to public service, local politics, and her own personal fascination with American history blossomed into first, a legal career, and later a leadership position. At the core of Ms. Hartnett’s leadership is interpersonal strength, high achievement and authenticity. Drawing on decades of experience and a wealth of professional relationships, she unwaveringly promotes high-quality performance in the office, empowering her attorneys to handle every case with conviction, commitment, and care. Her resounding resilience and impenetrable determination further boosts her team, positioning her as an admired employer and formidable opposing counsel.
Ms. Hartnett’s tendency to lead extends into every area of her life, her influence far outstretching the office walls. She has held leadership positions in charitable organizations such as Friends of 440 (former president), Girl Scouts of Florida (troop leader), Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni Association (officer) and the Miami-Dade Section of the Florida Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Section (chair). Ms. Hartnett is equally proud to be a supportive wife to Dave and a mother to Alex and Kate, and to chase her personal passions as an open-eyed traveler, sports enthusiast and humble pianist.
As your attorney, Ms. Hartnett delivers the same high standards, organization and diligence she exhibits throughout her life. With Ms. Hartnett, clients gain a partner as powerful as she is personable, as tenacious as she is tactful.
Practice Areas:
- Workers’ Compensation Defense Litigation
- Employment and Labor Law
- Civil Premise Liability
- Medical Malpractice Defense
- Third-party Liability Insurance Defense
Admitted to Practice:
- Florida Bar, 1988
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
Education:
- University of Connecticut — Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), 1985
- University of Miami — Juris Doctor scholarship recipient, 1988
- Internship with Florida State Attorney’s Office
Professional or Trade Affiliations:
- Friends of 440
- Trustee & Member since 1998
- Scholarship Fund / Friends of 440
- Trustee since 1990
- Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
- Troop Leader
- Kappa Alpha Theta Miami Dade Alumnae Chapter
- Officer
- State Certified Lecturer for CEU Credits to Insurance Industry Affiliates since 1990
- Past Member of Board of Directors of Miami Dade County YLS
- Miami Dade Workers’ Compensation Section of the Bar
- Commitee Chair
- Connecticut General Assembly
- Past Legislative Intern
Honors & Awards:
- AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Florida Trend’s Notable Managing Partner List (2025)
- Florida Trend’s Legal Elite
- Employer/Carrier Attorney of the Year Award (2009)
- Past President’s Award
- Friends of 440 (2009)
- Service to the Dade County Bar Association Award (2008)
Representative Experience:
- Somar Poveda v. ABC Distributing, Order awarding Fees, A fee of $150 an hour was found to be reasonable by the Judge of Compensation Claims on an hourly fee based case. Judge Medina Shore, Order 7/17/2012
- Recchia America Inc. v. Hall, 692 So. 2d 153 Supreme Court of Florida, Rebuttable presumption of intoxication which denies a claim was found unconstitutional, Employer must show intoxication has causal connection to the injury.
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Public Health Trust, 546 So. 2d 1077
- Edelson v. Morgan Lewis & Chubb Group, 900 So. 2d 558
- Kelley Tractor v. Pagan, 821 So. 2d 1060
- SCI/ Hunters Run v. Howard, 883 So. 2d 283
- Bellsouth Advertising and Publishing Co. v. Kerr, 731 So. 2d 1273
