Daniel R Pilkington

Daniel R. Pilkington is a dedicated attorney at Watson, Roach, Batson and Lauderback, located in Knoxville, Tennessee. He specializes in civil litigation, with a particular focus on representing public officials and law enforcement in both federal and state courts. His practice includes defending municipal clients in civil rights cases, notably those involving police misconduct.

A native of East Tennessee, Mr. Pilkington pursued his undergraduate studies at East Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He later graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Since his admission to the Tennessee Bar in 2005, he has also been admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Pilkington has a robust record of representing municipalities and police officers at all court levels within Tennessee, including the Tennessee Supreme Court. He has also effectively advocated for similar clients in federal courts across Tennessee and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio.

His legal expertise extends to defending municipalities and officers against allegations of negligence, assault, false arrest, and false imprisonment under state law. Furthermore, he has successfully defended officers accused of illegal search and seizure, illegal arrest, and excessive force under the United States Constitution.

Mr. Pilkington has represented officers in cases involving use of force across the entire continuum, including deadly force. Additionally, he has defended Chiefs of Police and municipalities in cases alleging failures in training and supervision, as well as in matters concerning unconstitutional customs, policies, and procedures.