The Attorneys
Laura V. Bartels
Ms. Bartels has worked for the firm since 1988- early duties included receptionist, office manager, payroll, human resources, and legal research.
In 1998, she joined the firm as a partner.
Ms. Bartels’ experience with legal aid clients and attorneys gives her a passionate understanding of the importance of the foundation of our country – “justice for all.”
Clients say that she has a calming demeanor which puts them at ease. She explains issues to people in terms they can easily understand. She works with clients to determine their needs and explain to them various solutions that they can take.
Personal interests:
Ms. Bartels is an advocate for social justice and her children’s educational opportunities. She was a Foo Fighter fanatic and has memorabilia in the office to enjoy. Ms. Bartels is also the local president of the George Hincapie Fan Club and can be found on various spots of the Tour of California cheering on her favorite professional national champion bicycle racer. In the month of July she is glued to the Tour de France. She loves German Shepherds, old houses, original art, antique maps, and the Oregon coast.
Awards
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
| Gave Away 700 Winter Coats | Winter Coat Drive | 2018 |
| Community Service Recognition | City of Fillmore | 2016 |
| Gave Away 650 New Coats to Needy Kids | Winter Coat Drive | 2015 |
| California State Assembly Special Recognition | Assemblyman Das Williams | 2015 |
| Congressional Special Recognition | Congresswoman Julia Brownley | 2015 |
| Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award | Ventura County Bar Association | 2015 |
| Gave away 750 brand new coats to needy kids | Winter Coat Drive | 2010 |
| Gave away 700 brand new coats to needy kids | Winter Coat Drive | 2009 |
| Soroptimist Woman of the Year | Fillmore Soroptimist Club | 2008 |
| Gave away over 600 brand new coats to needy kids | Winter Coat Drive | 2008 |
| Volunteer Lawyers Services Program (VLSP) | Ventura County Bar Association | 2003 |
| Volunteer Lawyers Services Program | Ventura County Bar Association | 2001 |
| California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition | Assemblymember Jenny Oropeza, 53rd District | 2001 |
| State Bar of California Estate Planning Trust Probate Section | Speakers Bureau Certificate for Educating California Senior Citizens | 2001 |
| California Senate Certificate of Recognition | Senator Bob Margett, 27th District | 2001 |
| California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition | Jackie Goldberg, 45th Assembly District | 2001 |
| 2001 Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award | California State Bar Association | 2001 |
| Certificate of Recognition | Santa Paula Hospital Board of Directors | 2000 |
| Community Service Commendation | Ventura County Board of Supervisors | 1996 |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Title | Company name | Duration |
| Partner | Taylor, Scoles & Bartels | 1997 – Present |
| Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative | United States District Court Central District Of California | 2011 – 2014 |
| Paralegal | Taylor & Scoles | 1988 – 1997 |
ASSOCIATIONS
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
| Ventura County Legal Aid | Board Member | 2012 – Present |
| National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys | Member | 2009 – Present |
| State Bar of California | Estate Planning, Trusts and Probates Speakers Bureau | 2001 – Present |
| Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid | Director | 2000 – Present |
| California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform | Member | 2000 – Present |
| Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid | Member | 1997 – Present |
| Ventura County Bar Association, Probate and Estate Planning Section | Member | 1997 – Present |
| Ventura County 99s- Women Pilots | Member | 1993 – Present |
| Fillmore Chamber of Commerce | Member | 1988 – Present |
| Ventura County Bar Association | Past President | 2015 – 2015 |
| Ventura County Bar Association | President | 2014 – 2014 |
| Ventura County Bar Association | Task Force to Help Immigrant Children Held at Naval Base | 2014 – 2014 |
| Ventura County Bar Association | President-Elect | 2013 – 2013 |
| Ventura County Bar Association | Secretary/Treasurer | 2012 – 2012 |
| Ventura County Bar Association | Board of Directors | 2007 – 2015 |
| Scholarship Awards Committee | Ventura and Santa Barbara Colleges of Law | 2004 – 2008 |
| Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau | Board of Directors | 1998 – 2000 |
| Ventura County Planning Commission | Planning Commissioner | 1993 – 1996 |
More
PUBLICATIONS
| Publication name | Title | Date |
| Citations (VCBA) | “Laws Going to the Dogs” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “What Fifty Years Brings” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “Similarities Between Foo Fighter Concerts and Court” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “I Care and You Count: How Mock Trial Helps Kids” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “The Secret Language of Table Manners” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | COVER STORY: “Calling on Advocates to Help Refugee Children” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “Be A Flea Against Injustice” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “Srirachalypse” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “How Sweet is Your Navel? The Laws of Citrus” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “The Insectary: “Good Bugs” and the Law” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “When Heroes Have Feet of Clay- Earl Warren and Japanese Internment” | 2014 |
| Citations (VCBA) | “The Amygdala Made Me Do It” | 2014 |
| Ventura County Bar Association Citations | Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid Begins 16th Year | 2011 |
| Ventura County Bar Citations | COVER STORY: “From Lawyer to People” | 2011 |
EDUCATION
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
| Santa Barbara Conflict Management Institute | Mediation Certificate | 2005 |
| Ventura College of Law | Juris Doctor | 1997 |
| Mount Holyoke College | Bachelor of Arts | 1985 |
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
| Conference name | Title | Date |
| National Business Institute | The Probate Process from Start to Finish | 2018 |
| Fillmore Rotary | Warm Coats for Cold Shoulders | 2018 |
| Fillmore Rotary | Warm Coats for Cold Shoulders | 2017 |
| Estate Planning for Women | Estate Planning | 2016 |
| Fillmore Lions | Winter Coats for Needy Kids | 2011 |
| Soroptimist Meeting | Winter Coats for Needy Kids | 2010 |