Matt Hardin Law Expands Practice with Addition of Litigator Andrew Lockert as Partner
Andrew Lockert, a seasoned litigator with experience in federal civil rights and criminal law, joins Matt Hardin Law as a partner, bringing a new criminal defense practice area and a track record of holding institutions accountable.
Matt Hardin Law, a premier personal injury firm in Tennessee, has announced that Andrew Lockert has joined the firm as its newest Partner. Lockert, a litigator with nearly a decade of experience, brings expertise in personal injury, federal civil rights, and criminal law, and will lead a new Criminal Defense practice area at the firm.
Lockert hails from a distinguished legal tradition in Cheatham County, Tennessee. He is the latest in a line of legal professionals, including a grandfather who served as both a judge and attorney, an aunt who served as a judge, an uncle who served as an attorney, and a cousin who served as a public defender for over 30 years. This background has instilled in him a deep respect for the Tennessee legal system and a unique ability to navigate complex litigation with professional diplomacy.
Lockert is known for his tenacity in federal courts and his commitment to holding institutions accountable. He spent years litigating Campbell v. Cheatham County, a complex civil rights case involving Fourth Amendment protections against excessive police force. He successfully navigated the Middle District of Tennessee and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to ensure the claim against the primary officer could proceed to trial, seeking justice for homeowners facing unconstitutional government conduct.
He also gained regional recognition for his work alongside the late John Morris in the 'Reid Van Ness' litigation, a series of cases that challenged the regulatory boundaries of the funeral industry and sought to protect families from mishandling of their loved ones' remains. Lockert fought to hold institutions accountable for the sanctity of the deceased and the constitutional rights of those who care for them.
Despite often standing on the opposite side of the aisle from local municipalities and law enforcement, Lockert has maintained a reputation for professional excellence and mutual respect. He prides himself on maintaining productive, collaborative relationships with police units and agencies in Cheatham County and throughout Middle Tennessee, even while aggressively advocating for civil rights.
In addition to bolstering the firm’s core personal injury practice, Lockert will lead the new Criminal Defense practice area at Matt Hardin Law. His goal is to provide a voice for those who feel unheard by the system, ensuring that whether a client is a car accident victim or an individual facing a violation of their civil rights, they receive counsel that understands both the local landscape and the federal courts.
Outside of the office, Lockert is an avid traveler and a regular on the basketball court, remaining deeply committed to the Middle Tennessee community where he was raised.