Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Elder Law Litigation - Trusts and Estates Trusts and Estates
William L. "Bill" Harbison
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Bill Harbison works primarily in the areas of corporate law and trusts and estates. He also handles litigation in those same practice categories.
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.
Overview
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with highest honors, graduated 1977
- Harvard University, J.D., cum laude, graduated 1980
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association, 1980
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- American Bar Association - Member, Civil Rights & Social Justice, Litigation, and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Sections
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Fellow
- Board of Professional Responsibility Advisory Committee - Board Member selected by the Tennessee Supreme Court
- Nashville Bar Association - Member
- Nashville Bar Association - Past President
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Past President (2002-2006)
- Nashville Estate Planning Council - Member and Past President
- Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission - Past Member
- Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations - Lecturer
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member, Estate Planning and Probate and Litigation Sections
- Tennessee Bar Association - Past President
- Tennessee Bar Association - Former General Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Hearing Panel Member
- Tennessee Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners - Member
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association, 1980
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- American Bar Association - Member, Civil Rights & Social Justice, Litigation, and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Sections
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Fellow
- Board of Professional Responsibility Advisory Committee - Board Member selected by the Tennessee Supreme Court
- Nashville Bar Association - Member
- Nashville Bar Association - Past President
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Nashville Bar Foundation - Past President (2002-2006)
- Nashville Estate Planning Council - Member and Past President
- Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission - Past Member
- Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations - Lecturer
- Tennessee Bar Association - Member, Estate Planning and Probate and Litigation Sections
- Tennessee Bar Association - Past President
- Tennessee Bar Association - Former General Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility - Hearing Panel Member
- Tennessee Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners - Member
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with highest honors, graduated 1977
- Harvard University, J.D., cum laude, graduated 1980
- Supreme Court of the United States
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2024)
- Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2024)
- Elder Law, Nashville (2019)
- Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2018)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation, Nashville (2017)
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2015)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation, Nashville (2014)
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2013)
- Trusts and Estates, Nashville (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Elder Law
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
- Appellate
- Breach of Contract
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Disputes
- Complex Litigation
- Estate Planning
- Fiduciary Duties
- Litigation
- Trusts and Estates
Awards:
ACLU Bill of Rights Award (2015)
Attorney at Law Magazine “Attorney of the Month” (December 2015)
Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star,” Appellate, Commercial, Trusts and Estates (2014 – 2026)
Business TN Magazine “150 Best Lawyers” (2010)
Chambers USA, Litigation (2006 – 2025)
Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law (2022 – 2024)
Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Mid-South Super Lawyers, Estate and Trust Litigation, Business Litigation (2006 – 2024)
Mid-South Super Lawyers “Top 50: Nashville Super Lawyers” (2012 – 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021- 2024)
Mid-South Super Lawyers “Top 100: Tennessee Super Lawyers” (2006 – 2014, 2019, 2021 – 2024)
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)
Tennessee Bar Association Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year Award (2012, 2025)
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)
News & Media
Insights
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