John I. Harris, III (jharris@slblawfirm.com) is associated with this firm in an of counsel capacity. Mr. Harris is also involved in a practice with his brother, Norman Evan Harris, through Harris Law Offices.
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 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.
A third generation attorney, his practice includes most areas of civil practice representing business 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 medical negligence and personal injury disputes.
One unique area of his practice involves the representation of nonprofit and charitable organizations. He presently represents a number of organizations that have been classifed by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(7) charities and/or exempt not for profit entities.
Mr. Harris also handles cases involving representation before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacoo, Firearms and Explosives which is more commonly known as the “ATF.” His representation includes representation of individuals and corporations that have or are seeking licenses as firearms dealers and/or as explosive permittees. Related to this area of his practice, Mr. Harris also represents gun clubs and sport shooting ranges in matters such as formation, operation and even zoning matters.
Mr. Harris is a referral attorney with the National Rifle Association. 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 licensees regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; proceedings to restore civil rights; and appeals from the denial or revocation of civilian handgun permit applications. Several of Mr. Harris’ clients have received litigaiton funding grants through the National Rifle Association’s Civil Rights Defense Fund.
Mr. Harris has taught continuing legal education courses on the issues of firearms and the use of deadly force under Tennessee law. He accepts speaking engagements on issues involving Tennessee’s civilian handgun permit laws, firearms ownership, and the civil and criminal aspects pertaining to the defensive use of deadly force under Tennessee law.
Mr. Harris is licensed to practice in Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit, and before the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Nashville Bar Association and American Bar Associations, the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He has served on the Board of Directors (1999-2000) for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Harris has served several nonprofit organizations as general counsel or as litigation counsel. Mr. Harris serves as a founder and presently as a board member of the Hamlett Endowment, Inc. which is a charity established in honor of Conn Hamlett to provide financial assistance to students who have lost one or both parents to continue their education.
Mr. Harris serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc..
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).