Perry

Will Perry is a highly skilled and experienced trial and appellate lawyer and former trial judge whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has represented businesses and governmental entities in litigation, arbitration, and mediation in more than a dozen states; tried bench and jury trials in state and federal courts; and argued before state and federal courts of appeal. From June 2021 to September 2022, Will served as a Tennessee Chancery Court Judge, or Chancellor, presiding over a civil docket of more than 2,000 business, governmental, tax, divorce, and child custody cases. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Commercial Litigation
• Appellate & Written Advocacy
• Catastrophic Events & Major Claims
• Class Actions

Gadson William (Will) Perry has represented businesses and governmental entities in all aspects of litigation, arbitration, and mediation in more than a dozen different states. He handles high-stakes and sensitive matters that involve constitutional guarantees, contracts, real estate, consumer protection, business torts, personal injury, and personal and intellectual property. Will has managed multi-party and multi-state litigation; tried bench and jury trials in Tennessee, Mississippi, and federal district court; and argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He is a former law clerk for Judge Bernice Bouie Donald of the Sixth Circuit.

From June 2021 to September 2022, Will served on the Chancery Court for the Thirtieth Judicial District of Tennessee, appointed by Governor Bill Lee to finish the term of a retired Chancellor. Thirty-eight years old at the time, Will became the youngest African American judge, and second youngest judge, in Tennessee’s largest county. Will presided over a civil docket of more than 2,000 business, governmental, tax, divorce, and child custody cases, reviewed civil service and state agency appeals, and was referred commercial cases by other judges for judicial mediation. In 14 months, Will and his staff cleared more than 1,700 cases, establishing the best disposition rate on the court. He was endorsed or voted “Best Qualified” by ten different organizations, including the Memphis Bar Association (MBA), the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association (NBA), and the Democratic and Republican Parties of Shelby County. In November 2022, Will received the Chancellor Charles A. Rond Memorial “Judge of the Year” Award from the MBA Young Lawyers Division. He is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator.

Will has earned several professional accolades, including “Best of the Bar” from the Memphis Business Journal (MBJ), the Sam A. Myar, Jr., Memorial Award from the MBA, and the A.A. Latting Award for Legal Excellence from the NBA. He has been named a “Mid-South Rising Star” by Super Lawyers® seven times and is listed in Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation. In March 2022, Will was named a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation, an invitation-only honor reserved for the top 1% of local-area lawyers and judges. Will currently serves on the governing boards of the Tennessee and Memphis Bar Associations and as a Master in the Leo Bearman, Sr. and Memphis ADR American Inns of Court.

Will also is an alumnus of local, state, and national leadership programs, including Leadership Memphis, TBA Leadership Law, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, and the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy at Stanford University. He is a frequent author and speaker, having published articles in such forums as The Memphis Lawyer and the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law and given presentations for the American, Tennessee, and Memphis Bar Associations as well as various civic, professional, and educational groups. He also has coached advocacy teams and taught legal writing as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis School of Law, which named Will its 2021 “Mentor of the Year.”

A former middle school English teacher, Will holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wake Forest University. At UT Law, Will served as a staff editor of Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and Chair of the Moot Court Executive Board. Will also was a member of moot court and mock trial teams that both won regional championships, and his National Moot Court Team finished second in the nation. He was awarded the McClung Medal and the Judge James M. Haynes Prize for his graduating class.

• Chancellor, Part I, Chancery Court for the Thirtieth Judicial District of Tennessee (June 2021-Sept. 2022): Served as the youngest African American judge, and second youngest judge, in Tennessee's largest county (appointed at age 38). Appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to finish the term of a retiring Chancellor. Presided over civil docket of more than 2,000 business, governmental, tax, divorce, and child custody cases and reviewed civil service and state agency appeals. Mediated commercial cases referred by other judges.
• Lead counsel for the Independent Monitor and Monitoring Team in Tennessee federal district court during remedies phase of lawsuit against municipal police department involving the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and a 40-year-old federal Consent Decree (2018-21): Defended and examined expert witnesses during fully-virtual four-day bench trial in June 2020; managed all public-facing efforts of the Monitoring team, including media appearances, quarterly meetings with activist groups and community members, weekly meetings with police and municipal leadership, and testimony at multiple evidentiary hearings and trial; responsible for all Monitoring Team court submissions, including quarterly reports and responses to pleadings, motions, and other party submissions.
• Lead counsel for affiliated multi-million dollar real estate development and hospitality companies in boundary dispute with adjacent property owners in Tennessee trial court; resolved after motions practice and discovery (2021). 
• Lead counsel for property owner in contested bench trial in Tennessee trial court; obtained writ of possession for property valued at more than $500,000 (2021). 
• Lead counsel for global pulp and paper company in defense against personal-injury claims in Tennessee federal district court arising from an incident in a paper mill in Louisiana; successfully resolved case four days prior to trial (2020).
• Second chair for equipment manufacturer in parallel litigation in Tennessee trial court and Michigan federal district court involving breach of contract, fraud, and conversion claims; resolved after significant motions practice, discovery, and multiple rounds of mediation (2020).
• Lead appellate counsel, on brief and oral argument, in federal court of appeals for insurance company in first-party case of national significance involving the constitutionality of Tennessee’s statutory punitive damages limits under the state constitution (2019).
• Lead appellate counsel, on brief and oral argument, in state court of appeals for Tennessee municipality in case involving claims of inverse condemnation (2019).
• Second chair for regional cinema chain in five-week bench trial in Tennessee trial court involving seven-figure trespass and leasing dispute; settled after the close of proof (2018).
• National counsel for WYO carriers in more than a dozen first-party lawsuits in New York and New Jersey federal district courts under the National Flood Insurance Program; co-coordinator for Butler Snow as National Defense Counsel for more than 100 cases resolved through FEMA’s Hurricane Sandy Review Process (2017). 
• Second chair for medical practice in two-day jury trial in Mississippi trial court involving defense against seven-figure breach of contract claims; obtained defense verdict (2017).
• Obtained summary judgment in AAA arbitration on behalf of hospital in breach-of-contract action against former physician employee; enrolled the judgment in Washington trial court; domesticated and enforced the judgment in New Mexico after the physician fled Washington (2017).
• Obtained stay and then dismissal of breach of contract claims on behalf of advisory and management services company in parallel litigation in Tennessee trial court and New York federal district court after significant motions practice and limited discovery (2016). 
• Obtained dismissal of subrogated personal-injury claims against a national wood products company in Arkansas federal district court for failure to fulfill a condition precedent to suit and lack of standing (2016). 
• Resolved multi-party breach of contract action in parallel litigation in Tennessee and Florida trial courts for affiliated technology companies after significant motions practice and court-ordered mediation (2015). 
• Obtained dismissal of breach of contract claims against a national transportation leasing company in Tennessee trial court for improper venue (2015). 
• After multiple petitions and four hearings involving ten witnesses, obtained permanent injunction barring the interference of the former general partner of a series of limited partnerships in Tennessee trial court (2013).
• Obtained voluntary dismissal of breach of warranty, Magnuson‐Moss, U.C.C., and Consumer Protection Act claims against an international automobile manufacturer in Tennessee trial court after filing a motion for summary judgment (2013).
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of claims related to PILOT allocation and reimbursements against a municipal utility in Tennessee trial court (2013).
• Obtained judgment on the pleadings dismissing claims of conversion against a regional financial services provider in Tennessee federal district court (2012).
• Briefed, argued, and successfully opposed a petition for judicial review of a municipal civil service commission decision in Tennessee trial court (2012). 
• Second chair for regional financial services provider in one-day bench trial involving defense against claims of conversion, fraud, and conspiracy in Tennessee trial court; obtained complete defense judgment (2011).

• Commissioner, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, 2024-2029
• Delegate, 77th Judicial Conference of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2023
• Best Lawyers in America®
  • Appellate Practice, 2025
  • Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
• Hearing Committee Member, Disciplinary District IX, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, 2023-present
• Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Meditator, 2023-present
• Chancellor Charles A. Rond Memorial “Judge of the Year” Award, MBA: Young Lawyers’ Division, 2022
• Fellow, Memphis Bar Foundation, 2022
• A.A. Latting Award for Legal Excellence, Ben F. Jones Chapter, National Bar Association, 2021
• Sam A. Myar, Jr., Memorial Award, for “Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession and the Community,” Memphis Bar Association, 2021
• Mentor of the Year, Memphis Professional Development Program, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 2021
• 40 Under 40, Memphis Business Journal, 2021
• Volunteer 40 Under 40, University of Tennessee, 2021
• Alumni Promise Award, University of Tennessee, 2021
• Appointment, Standing Local Rules Committee, W.D. Tenn., 2018-2021
  • Chair, Civil Rules Subcommittee, 2020
• Executive Class, Leadership Memphis, 2019-2020
• Super Lawyers®
  • Mid-South Super Lawyer, Business Litigation, 2023
  • Mid-South Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2015-2021
• Fellow, New Memphis Institute, 2018-2019
• Winner, Best of the Bar Awards, Memphis Business Journal, 2018
• Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2017-2018
• Adjunct Professor, Legal Methods, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, 2016-2017
• Graduate, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy, Stanford Law School, 2015
• Teacher, Eighth Grade Language Arts and Reading, Sherwood Middle School – Memphis, TN, 2005-2008

• Tennessee, 2011
• U.S. District Courts
  • Tennessee: Western, Eastern
  • Arkansas: Western, Eastern
• U.S. Court of Appeals
  • 6th Circuit

• University of Tennessee, J.D., 2011
  • Chair, Moot Court Executive Board
  • National Moot Court Team, National Runner‐Up, Regional Champion & Best Oral Advocate
  • AAJ National Student Trial Advocacy Team, Regional Champion
  • The Order of Barristers
  • Justice Lewis F. Powell Medal for Excellence in Advocacy
  • Judge James M. Haynes Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Moot Court
  • McClung Medal for Moot Court Excellence
  • Certificates of Academic Excellence in Five Legal Areas
  • Teaching Assistant, Legal Process (Writing) II
  • Staff Editor, Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law
• Wake Forest University, M.A.Ed., Secondary English, 2005
  • Graduate Fellow
• Wake Forest University, B.A., English, 2004
  • President’s Aide and Thomas K. Hearn Scholar
  • National Dean’s List
  • Mother Teresa’s “Misioneras de la Caridad” – Mexico City, Mexico

• Clerkship, Honorable Bernice Bouie Donald, ​U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2013-2014

• American Bar Association
  • Business Law Section, 2022-present
  • Litigation Section, 2022-present
  • Section of Dispute Resolution, 2022-present
• National Bar Association
  • Deputy Director, Region VI, 2020-2021
• Federal Bar Association
  • Board of Directors, Memphis/Mid-South Chapter, 2019-2021
• Tennessee Bar Association
  • YLD Fellows, 2023-present
  • Board of Governors, 2021-present
  • Executive Council, Appellate Section, 2021-present
  • Executive Council, Federal Practice Section, 2020-2021
  • Executive Council, Section of Litigation, 2019-present
  • Leadership Law, 2019
  • Mock Trial Committee, Young Lawyers Division, 2016-2019
  • West Tennessee Captain, Wills-for-Heroes, YLD Board of Directors, 2015-2016
• Memphis Bar Association
  • Executive Committee, 2020-present
  • Board of Directors, 2020-present
  • Facilitator, Law Scholars Program, 2017-present
  • Summer Law Internship Program Committee, 2014-present
• Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court
  • Master, 2022-present
  • Barrister, 2020-2022
• Memphis ADR American Inn of Court
  • Master, 2023-present
• Lawyers Journal Club of Memphis, 2023-present

• Faculty Member, “Critical Trial Skills for Legal Services Attorneys,” ABA Section of Litigation / National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Aug. 2023.
• Speaker, “Pitfalls and Pointers: Litigation Involving Closely-Held Businesses and Family Law,” Intersections of Family Law, TBA Family Law Section, Aug. 2023.
• Panelist, “Attorney Well Being Inside and Out, TBA Annual Convention, June 2023.
• Facilitator, “The Questionable Status Quo of the Economic Loss Doctrine,” Litigation Practice Forum 2023, TBA Section of Litigation, May 2023.
• Speaker, “Staying Above the Fray: Courageous Conversations in Law,” Phi Alpha Delta Growing Our Leadership Diversity (GOLD) program, Apr. 2023.
• Speaker, TBA Book Club Discussion with Memphis author T. Stringfellow, Apr. 2023.
• Speaker, “‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ the attorney-client privilege after In re: Grand Jury,” CLE for the MBA Young Lawyers Division, Apr. 2023.
• Speaker, “From UpJohn to In re: Grand Jury and Back Again: The Attorney-Client Privilege Comes Full Circuit,” CLE for In-House Counsel at Regions Bank, Mar. 2023.
• Moderator, “Collaboration in the Real World,” Butler Snow LLP / Association of Corporate Counsel CLE: MBA in a Day, Dec. 2022.
• Speaker, “Tips from the Bench,” MBA Business Law Section Annual CLE, Nov. 2022.
• Feature, “Gadson William Perry,” The Journey, Kudzukian, LLC, Nov. 2022.
• Panelist, “Soft Skills: Building Relationships (Allies), Conducting Performance Reviews, and Driving Change in Your Law Firm,” ABA Section of Litigation, Oct. 2022.
• Speaker, “Juneteenth Series: Chancellor Will Perry,” TBA: Young Lawyers Division, June 2022.
• Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Civic Involvement Conference, University of Memphis, June 2022.
• Keynote Speaker, Eighth Grade Graduation, University Middle School, May 2022.
• Author, “Witness and Respair,” Memphis Lawyer, Nov. 2021.
• Feature, “When Called to Serve, the Hon. Gadson William Perry Always Answers,” Memphis Lawyer, Nov. 2021.
• Panelist, “A Conversation with Esteemed Alumni,” English Students Alliance, Wake Forest University, Sept. 2021.
• Moderator, “Diversity in Appellate Litigation,” TBA: Appellate Law Section, Apr. 2021.
• Panelist, “Attorneys of Color in the Legal Profession,” UT College of Law, Mar. 2021.
• Facilitator, “Covid-19 in the Courtroom and What to Expect in 2021,” TBA: Litigation Law Judicial Roundtable, Jan. 2021.
• Panelist, “What’s Around the Corner in 2021,” Adapting to a Changing World: CLE for In-House Counsel, Memphis, TN, Dec. 2020.
• Panelist, “Non-Economic & Punitive Damages Caps,” Tennessee Bar Association: Litigation Law Forum, Sept. 2020.
• ​Speaker, “Lawyering and Professionalism,” UT College of Law, Sept. 2020.
• Speaker, “Recovery of Medical Expenses in Tennessee Post-Dedmon,” Memphis Bar Association Bench / Bar CLE Program, St. Louis, MO, April 2018.
• Presenter, “Generational Differences,” Butler Snow LLP Firm-Wide Mentor Program Training, Memphis, TN, April 2018.
• Author, “Never Mind Hybridity: Under Dedmon, the Collateral Source Rule Says It All,” Memphis Lawyer, Dec. 2017.
• Presenter, “Ethics for In-House Counsel,” Adapting to a Changing World: CLE for In-House Counsel, Memphis, TN, Dec. 2017.
• Co-Presenter, “Ethics for In-House Counsel,” Adapting to a Changing World: CLE for In-House Counsel, Nashville, TN, Dec. 2017.
• Co-Presenter, “Take That for Data: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and Cautionary Tales of Data Disasters,” Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Executive Briefing Series, Memphis, TN, Nov. 2017.
• Author, “Hybridity: The Likely Outcome of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Dedmon Deliberations,” Memphis Lawyer, Sept. 2017.
• Keynote Speaker, Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholars’ Dinner, Shelby County Schools, Apr. 2017.
• Co-Presenter, “Corporate Counsel & Ethics Issues,” General Counsel CLE, Butler Snow LLP Annual Celebration of the Progress & Growth of Memphis, Memphis, TN, Dec. 2016.
• Co-Author, “Glenn Reynolds Should Be Sanctioned,” The Daily Beacon, Sept. 2016.
• Co-Presenter, “Arbitration vs. Litigation,” In-House CLE, Butler Snow LLP Annual Celebration of the Progress & Growth of Memphis, Memphis, TN, Nov. 2015.
• Presenter, “The Nuts and Bolts of Judicial Clerkships” and “Is a Judicial Clerkship for You?,” University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, TN, Nov. 2015.
• Facilitator, “Forensics of Persuasive Speech,” Jay Uiberall Scholars Program, REACH Memphis, Memphis, TN, Mar. 2015.
• Co-Author, “Pregnancy Discrimination: An Issue to Watch in 2015,” BLR: Tennessee Employment Law Letter, Vol. 30, No. 1, Jan. 2015.
• Contributor, “From the Bench: Four Judgeships,” 41 Litig. 1, Fall 2014. 
• Co-Author, “The Not-So-New Normal of the Legal Profession: Facing and Confounding the Odds,” 23 Am.U.J. General Soc. Pol’y & L.1, 2014.
• Presenter, “Constitution in the Classroom: The First Amendment,” American Constitution Society, Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School, Memphis, TN, June 2014. 
• ​Author, “Tennessee Statute Removes Joint & Several Liability from Product Liability Cases,” 2013 Southeastern Product Liability Update 16, 2013. 

• Board of Directors, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, 2023-present
• Workforce Advisory Board, University High School, University of Memphis, 2023-present
• REACH Memphis
  • Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, 2021-present
  • Board Chair, 2019-2021
  • Board of Directors, 2014-present
• Facing History and Ourselves
  • Co-Chair, Southeast Benefit, 2023
  • Memphis Advisory Board, 2016-present
• University of Tennessee College of Law
  • Alumni Council, 2014-2020, 2021-present
• University of Tennessee Alumni Association
  • Alumni Legislative Council, 2014-present
  • Advisory Council, 2013-2017