William James Harbison

Background

Harbison, William James was born on September 11, 1923 in Columbia, Tennessee, United States. Son of William Joshua and Eunice Elizabeth (Kinzer) Harbison.

Education

Vanderbilt University (Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, 1947. Juris Doctor, Founder’s Medalist, 1950). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif.

Editor-in-Chief, Vanderbilt Law Review, 19491950.

Special Justice, Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1966-1967. Justice, Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1974-1990, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1981-1982, 1987-1989.

Adjunct Professor of Law, Vanderbilt University, since 1950, Chairman, Advisory Committee to the Tennessee Court on Rules of Civil Procedure, 1967-1974. Member, Metropolitan (Nashville, Tennessee) Board of Education, 1970-1974.

Career

Special justice, Tennessee Supreme Court, Nashville, 1966-1967; justice, Tennessee Supreme Court, Nashville, 1974-1990; chief justice, Tennessee Supreme Court, Nashville, 1980-1982, 87-89; private practice, Tennessee Supreme Court, Nashville, 1950-1974, 90-. Adjunct Professor law Vanderbilt Law School, Nashville, since 1950. Chairman civil rules committee Tennessee Supreme Court, 1965-1974.

Achievements

• WILLIAM HARBISON has been listed as a reputable lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell.

Membership

Member Metro Nashville Board Education, 1970-1974. Served with Army of the United States, 1943-1946. Member American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association (president 1970-1971), Order of Coif, Phi Beta Kappa, Rotary, Cedar Creek Club, Cumberland Club.

Connections

Married Mary Elizabeth Coleman, June 14, 1952. Children: William Leslie, Mary Alice.

Father:

William Joshua Harbison

Mother:

Eunice Elizabeth (Kinzer) Harbison

Spouse:

Mary Elizabeth Coleman

child:

Mary Alice Harbison

child:

William Leslie Harbison