Print BioWilliam “Jay” Harbison II is a member of the firm’s litigation practice, counseling clients on various business disputes and commercial matters.
Jay is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” 2025 for Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants. Prior to joining the firm, Jay was a partner at a prominent Nashville law firm where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants and advised clients on a variety of complex legal issues, with an emphasis on First Amendment litigation.
He earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law and went on to clerk for the Honorable Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He graduated with a degree in English and Theater from Middlebury College.
Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Bar Association, is a member of the Executive Committee for the Tennessee Bar Association’s Communications Law Section, and is a member of the American Bar Association’s Communications Law Forum.
Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
- Executive Editor, Tennessee Law Review
- Middlebury College, B.A.
Admissions
- Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation, & Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (2025)
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” Business Litigation (2022-2024)
Professional Activities
- Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association Communications Law Forum
- Member, Board of Directors, Nashville Bar Association
- Member, Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (Class of 2022)
- Member, Executive Committee, Tennessee Bar Association Communications Law Section
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association