JOHN I. HARRIS, III
Address:
3310 West End Avenue, Suite 460
Nashville, TN 37203
Ph: (615) 244-6670
Fax: (615) 254-5407
Mr. Harris graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Classical Studies in 1983. He obtained his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1986. Since 1986 he has maintained a law practice in Nashville, Tennessee where his father and grandfather had their respective practices dating from 1940.
His practice includes most areas of civil practice representing businesses and individuals. He has an emphasis on civil, business and commercial litigation; business entity formation and representation; employment and discrimination disputes; probate and estate planning; and the representation of non-profit organizations. Mr. Harris also handles matters involving intellectual property and licensing, medical negligence, and personal injury disputes.
Mr. Harris has several unique practice areas. Mr. Harris handles cases involving firearms and explosive laws. In that area of his practice, he handles matters involving Second Amendment rights; matters involving the operation and use of firing ranges; statutory and regulatory matters involving firearms and explosive licensees regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; proceedings challenging governmental license revocation proceedings; proceedings to restore civil rights; and appeals from the denial or revocation of civilian handgun permit applications and licensure denials. Mr. Harris is a referral attorney with the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Harris has taught continuing legal education courses on the issues of firearms ownership, transfers and the use of deadly force under Tennessee law. He regularly accepts speaking engagements on issues involving Tennessee's civilian handgun permit laws, firearms ownership, constitutional legislative processes, and the civil and criminal aspects pertaining to the defensive use of deadly force under Tennessee law.
Mr. Harris also represents several not-for-profit corporations and charities both as general counsel and special project counsel. Mr. Harris has experience representing organizations that are tax exempt under Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. These not for profit and/or charitable organizations include the Tennessee Sheriffs Association, Inc.; the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, Inc.; the Tennessee Gun Collectors Association, Sugarbugs, Inc. (which provides support to families with juvenile diabetics). He is a founder and director of the Hamlett Endowment, Inc., (a scholarship endowment formed to provide financial support for students who have lost one or both parents). He has also served on the Board of Directors with Goodpasture Christian School (2005-2006) as well on its Advisory Board prior thereto.
Mr. Harris also served as general counsel to international women's collegiate sorority and as general counsel Mr. Harris was involved in non-profit corporate governance as well as a wide variety of multi-jurisdictional activities.
Mr. Harris is licensed to practice in Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit, and before the United States Supreme Court. He has served on the Board of Directors (1999-2000) for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and is one of its Life Members.
Mr. Harris serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc., he has served as a legal consultant for four of the NRA-ILA's lobbyists in Tennessee, and he has also served as the registered lobbyist for the Tennessee Firearms Association Legislative Action Committee.
Mr. Harris is the author of several publications. His most recent publication and the one in widest distribution is the book Carrying a Handgun for Self Defense In Tennessee (3rd Edition 2003) which is available through the Tennessee Firearms Association.
