Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP

John Lockett is a partner in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice. He has a wide breadth of trial experience and has  represented clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States in various complex commercial litigations and arbitrations.  Mr. Lockett has served as lead counsel in arbitrations, bench trials, and actions seeking injunctive relief.

Recent Experience

• Multibank 2009-1 RES-ADC Venture, LLC v. Blue Sky Communities, LLC, et al, Case No. 10-2877, Superior Court of Walton County, Georgia (November 2011) (Lead counsel in representation of promissory note holder in claims against borrower and guarantors.  Obtained $25.4 million judgment on note and guaranty claims, as well as summary judgment on all of borrower's lender-liability claims).
• Hansen & Hundebol, Inc. v. Sandtech, Inc., Case No. 06A07920, Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia (August 2009) (Trial counsel for Danish company and its C.E.O. in two week jury trial involving claims of fraudulent transfer and breach of contract. Client obtained jury verdict of $8.9 million).
• Georgian Bank v. Northwind Development, LLC, Case No. 07-CV-3328, Superior Court of Paulding County, Georgia (July 2009) (Represented lender in action against borrower and guarantors.  Obtained summary judgment for $1.2 million as well as summary judgment on all of defendants' lender-liability counterclaims.  Judgment affirmed by the Georgia Court of Appeals). 
• Alta Peoria, LLC v. DJN Eagle Mountain, LLC, Arb. No. 76-115-Y-00244-07, American Arbitration Association, Phoenix, Arizona (April 2008) (Trial counsel for developer in week long arbitration concerning breach of development agreement.  Client obtained arbitration award in excess of $750,000.00).
• Estate of Talkington v. Star Transport, Inc., Case No. 04-CV-2952, Superior Court of Cherokee County, Georgia (August 2006) (Trial counsel for trucking company in wrongful death case.  Obtained defense verdict for client after one week jury trial). 
• Charles L. Ingram, Jr. v. Velocity Express, Inc., Case No. 04-CV-2443, 2006 WL 218180 (N.D. Ga. January 27, 2006) (Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer on employee's $10 million conversion claim). 
• Gardendance, Inc. v. Woodstock Copperworks, Ltd., 392 F. Supp. 2d 717 (M.D.N.C. 2005) (Obtained dismissal of plaintiff's copyright infringement claims on ground of discovery abuse). 
 

Honors and Affiliations

Atlanta Bar Association Member

University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences Leadership Board

Selected as a Georgia Rising Star in Business Litigation by Atlanta magazine (2011 & 2012)

Recent News

• 29 MMM Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars February 24th, 2012
• Morris, Manning & Martin Elects Three to Partnership October 18th, 2011
• Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP Attorneys Named 2011 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars February 24th, 2011