Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell

Elizabeth is an attorney at Henson Efron in Minneapolis. Her practice is focused exclusively on family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, post-decree matters, international and domestic parental abduction, and third party custody.

Elizabeth serves as a compassionate and fierce advocate for her clients. A skilled writer and negotiator, she enjoys crafting creative solutions and is always prepared to advocate for her clients and their children both in and out of the courtroom.

Elizabeth graduated cum laude from St. Olaf College and earned her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas, where she was an editor of the Law Journal. She is a Past President of the University of St. Thomas School of Law Alumni Advisory Board, and is an adjunct professor at the School of Law.

Elizabeth previously practiced family law for over 11 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was a shareholder in her former firm. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and board-certified in family law trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. A member of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, she is a trained parent coordinator and has frequently worked as a Court-appointed neutral. She is experienced at handling parental child abduction cases and is a member of the International Child Abduction Attorney Network. Elizabeth is also trained in collaborative divorce.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and is a freelance singer and cellist. She also serves on the Boards of Directors of Lutheran Summer Music, the Minnetonka Theatre Curtain Call Club, and Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF/Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota School of Law

J.D. (2006) | Law

2003 - 2006

President’s Scholarship (full tuition) | Dean’s List | Dean’s Award (Law & Religion)

Activities: University of St. Thomas Law Journal (Senior Editor) | Research Assistant, Professor Thomas C. Berg | Certified Student Attorney, Family Law Clinic

Saint Olaf College

B.A. (1999) | English, Religion, Women's Studies

1995 - 1999

Honors: Cum Laude Theta Alpha Kappa

Activities: Study Abroad: Regent’s University, London, England | Newberry Library Fellow, Chicago, IL | St. Olaf Orchestra | St. Olaf Cantorei | Junior Counselor | Manitou Messenger Copy Editor | Student Senate | Broadcast Operator at WCAL 89.3 FM

Attorney

Henson Efron

2024 - Current

Attorney

Best & Flanagan LLP

2020 - 2024

Attorney

Heimerl & Lammers LLC

2018 - 2020

Attorney & Managing Partner

Geer Wissel Levy & Hartwell P.A.

2007 - 2018

Associate 2007-11 | Partner 2012-18 | Managing Partner 2016-18

“Non-Abatement”—Chapter 11 of the New Mexico Family Law Manual: Topics in Family Law for the New Mexico Judiciary

New Mexico Judicial Education Center Institute of Public Law

2011

Death and Dissolution: Oldham, The Probate Code, and Beyond

August 2011

New Mexico State Bar

Family Law Practice, Solo & Small Firm Practice course, University of St. Thomas School of Law

October 2019

Speaker for Solo & Small Firm Practice course on the topic of practicing family law

Handling Your First Domestic Abuse or Harassment Case

January 2020

Minnesota State Bar Association

Certified Family Law Specialist

New Mexico Supreme Court

2015

American Academy of Matrimonial lawyers

Fellow

2023 - Current

AAML Divorce Camp

Planning Committee

2020 - Current

Association of Family & Conciliation Courts-Minnesota Chapter

Education Committee

2019 - Current

Minnesota State Bar Association

Member

2018 - Current

Minnesota Women Lawyers

Member

2018 - Current

Association of Family & Conciliation Courts

Member

2016 - Current

New Mexico State Bar

Member

2006 - Current

Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court

ID Number: 399614

Since 2018

New Mexico

State Bar of New Mexico

ID Number: 24003

Since 2006