501-221-0444
Toll Free: 800-603-5100
Fax: 501-661-0196
Matthew E. Hartness concentrates his practice in Personal Injury litigation. Matt is also licensed to practice in Texas.
Personal Injury | Business Litigation | Trucking Litigation | Wrongful Death
Matthew Hartness is a native Arkansan and has lived here his entire life. He has a sense of loyalty to the citizens of Arkansas. Matt was born and raised in Crossett. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1993. He was named the outstanding graduating senior in the Business Management School. He received his Juris Doctorate in Law in 1995 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. He loves meeting new people and loves being able to help out the people of his beloved state. Matt fights for the people who cannot fight for themselves.
Mr. Hartness really loves what he does. He understands that the legal process can be long and arduous, which he why he became a certified mediator. Matt wanted to provide a service that could possibly help cut down on the costs of litigation and work with his clients toward a faster resolution. He has been practicing law in Little Rock since that time with an emphasis on personal injury litigation. He has extensive jury trial experience throughout the state of Arkansas and is licensed in all State Courts as well as the Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas. Mr. Hartness is also licensed to practice law in Texas. Matt is a member of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. In 2014, Soiree Magazine named him as the Best Personal Injury Lawyer.
The proudest moment in his professional life is when he was able to negotiate a settlement in a case where a drunk driver that was behind the wheel of a company vehicle killed a five year old little girl and injured her family. The facts of this case are heartbreaking and Matt was able to provide justice to the family that had suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Matt fought hard to make sure that the driver and his company were both held accountable for the negligent actions that led to that child’s life.
He has achieved many goals he has set for himself in his professional life, but he says his most important goal is to teach his children right from wrong. He wants to set an example for them which would help lead them in the right direction for the rest of their lives. Matt says that if he can do that, he will consider himself a success no matter what he may or may not achieve in his professional life.
I became a lawyer because. . . I wanted to work in a challenging yet rewarding profession where I could help those who could not help themselves.
What I like most about the law is. . . You can always formulate an argument for any position you may take, and this keeps me mentally “on the ball.”
When you need an attorney. . . First and foremost, hire someone you trust. When you turn one of the most important decisions in your life over to your attorney, you must trust them completely.
My most rewarding case was. . . I had a client who broke her ankle in a fall at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart did not offer any money to settle her claim. At trial, we were able to prove Wal-Mart was at fault and that a manager had doctored photographs of the scene of the fall. The jury returned a verdict for my client. This proved to me you can win no matter how much money your adversary has . . . that David can still defeat Goliath.
My most disappointing case was. . . I had a client who was horribly injured in a car wreck was unable to return to his job. Unfortunately the insurance coverage was not great enough to pay his entire claim. I did all that could be done for him, but he will never be in the same position he was before the wreck. This case showed me the need to raise the amount of insurance coverage required by the State of Arkansas.
What makes The Brad Hendricks Law Firm different from other lawyers. . . is the fact that Brad allows the attorneys who work for him to achieve great success both professionally and personally.
My friends describe me as. . . honest and hard working.
If I had to attempt another profession, I would try. . . sports broadcasting. I love sports and it would be great to travel to various sporting events.
A job I would never choose is. . . telemarketing. I would not enjoy calling people during their dinner time, trying to convince them to change phone companies or to sign up for magazine subscriptions.
Someone I really admire is. . . Jesus Christ.
My favorite quote is. . . “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
My favorite book is. . . The Bible.
My favorite movie is. . . The Shawshank Redemption
My favorite word is . . . hope.
A sound or noise I love is. . . my children’s voices on the telephone.
A sound or noise I hate is. . . the sound of the telephone ringing.
Outside of my family, my most treasured belonging is. . . my integrity.
My favorite daydream or fantasy is. . .. spending each day with my family.
When not at work, I enjoy. . . being on the soccer field.
