Bill 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.
Mr. Harbison graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and 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.
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Education & Bar Admissions
EDUCATION
- Harvard Law School, J.D, cum laude
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with highest honors
BAR 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 – present)
- Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Elder Law; Litigation -Trusts and Estates; Trusts and Estates (2001 – present)
- 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 (2011, 2013, 2015, 2024)
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Nashville, Trusts and Estates (2018, 2024)
- Business TN Magazine “150 Best Lawyers” (2010)
- Chambers USA, Litigation (2006 – present)
- 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 – present)
- Super Lawyers “Nashville Top 50” (2012 – 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021- 2024)
- Super Lawyers “Tennessee Top 100” (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 – present)
- 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 & Civic Activities
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, 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
Practice Areas
