He received a Bachelor"s degree from Bucknell University in 1953, and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown Law School in 1959. In 1975 he earned an Master of Arts in Biblical Theology and Nonviolence from Notre Dame University and in 1977 he received a Doctor of Philosophy. from Union Graduate School at Antioch College in Political and Religious Philosophy.
In 1975 he earned an Master of Arts from Union Graduate School at Antioch College in Political and Religious Philosophy. William Durland served in the Virginia House of Delegates as a Democrat representing the 27th District (which at the time represented the County of Fairfax and the cities of Fairfax, Virginia and Falls Church, Virginia) from 1966–1969) William Durland has practiced in the areas of International, Constitutional and Military law with an emphasis on human right and civil liberties for more than 40 years. He argued before the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Goldfarb v.
Virginia State Bar, 421 United States. 773 (1975).
Durland also has had a long history in education, teaching in the areas of Philosophy, History and Government, at Purdue University, Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame, and in the Colorado Community College System. He also taught peace and justice courses at Pendle Hill Quaker Study and Contemplation Center from 1985-1988.
In 2008 Durland served on the defense teams of Robin Long and Daniel Sandate the first two United States. soldiers deported from Canada, after having fled to Canada to avoid fighting in the Iraq War.
In 2005, Durland defended Dale Bartell before a court-martial at Fort Carson.
Durland was later elected as the Vice-Mayor and Council member of the Town of Cokedale, Colorado in 1990, and was elected as a member of the City Council of the city of Trinidad, Colorado in 1995.
