Print BioBill Harbison works primarily in the areas of corporate law and trusts and estates. He also handles litigation in those same practice categories. Bill serves as a member of the firm’s Management Committee.
A cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, Bill received his bachelor’s degree with highest honors in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D, cum laude
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with highest honors
Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Tennessee
Recognition
- ACLU Bill of Rights Award (2015)
- Attorney at Law Magazine “Attorney of the Month” (December 2015)
- Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star” (2013 – 2024)
- Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Elder Law; Litigation -Trusts and Estates; Trusts and Estates (2001 –2025)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Nashville, Bet-the-Company Litigation (2014, 2017)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Nashville, Elder Law (2019)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Nashville, Litigation-Trusts and Estates (2013, 2015, 2024)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Nashville, Trusts and Estates (2011, 2018, 2024)
- Business TN Magazine “150 Best Lawyers” (2010)
- Chambers USA, Litigation (2006 – 2024)
- Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law (2022 – 2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent ® Peer Review Rated
- Nashville Bar Association John C. Tune Public Service Award (2017)
- Nashville Business Journal “Best of The Bar” (2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2015)
- Nashville Scene “Nashvillian of the Year” (2015)
- Nashville School of Law Faculty & Community Service Honoree (2024)
- Super Lawyers, Estate and Trust Litigation, Business Litigation (2006 – 2024)
- Super Lawyers “Top 50: Nashville Super Lawyers” (2012 – 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021- 2024)
- Super Lawyers “Top 100: Tennessee Super Lawyers” (2006 – 2014, 2019, 2021 – 2024)
- Tennessee Bar Association Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Award (2012)
- Tennessee Bar Association Joseph W. Henry Award (1985)
- Tennessee Supreme Court Attorneys for Justice Honor Roll (2015 – 2017, 2020 – 2023)
- The Best Attorneys Network, Commercial/Business Litigation and Wills (2007 – 2008)
- The Best of the U.S. LLC, Trusts and Estates, Tax Law and Commercial Litigation (2006 – 2008)
Publications
- “President’s Perspective: Last Lines,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 6, June 2016
- “This Mentor Relationship Withstood the Test of Time,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2016
- “Competition Can Be Beneficial, But Also Corrosive,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 4, April 2016
- “Remembering Justice Scalia,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 3, March 2016
- “Contempt Case Helped Develop Due Process Concept,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2016
- “Access to Justice Is Part of ‘Thinking Like a Lawyer’,” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2016
- “Evolving Legal Markets” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 12, December 2015
- “History Shows 1881 Was a Very Important Year” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 11, November 2015
- “A Speech on Appreciation” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 10, October 2015
- “A Speech on Tolerance” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 9, September 2015
- “President’s Perspective: Generation Gaps” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 8, August 2015
- “Publicly and Privately, Lawyers Champion Justice for Others” Tennessee Bar Journal, Vol. 51, No. 7, July 2015
Professional Activities
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
- Former General Counsel to the Tennessee Bar Association
- Hearing Panel Member, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility
- Lecturer for the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Nashville Bar Association
- Member, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison Management Committee
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association
- Member, Tennessee Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners
- Past President, Tennessee Bar Association
- Past President, Nashville Bar Association
- Past President, Nashville Bar Foundation (2002-2006)
- Member and Past President, Nashville Estate Planning Council
- Selected by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve on the Board of Professional Responsibility Advisory Committee
Civic Activities
- Past Member, Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission