Chancellor Gadson William Perry

WHO IS WILL PERRY?

10 years in law. 17 years in public education.

In June 2021, I was appointed Judge of Part I of the Chancery Court for the Thirtieth Judicial District of Tennessee, which covers Memphis and Shelby County. Cases in Chancery Court generally fall into two categories: business law and family law. I bring to the role of Chancellor both a decade of experience representing large and small companies in state and federal courts across the country and the insights of a former teacher, licensed and entrusted by two different states to promote the best interests of children.

Education 

*IADC Trial Academy (2015), Stanford Law School

*J.D. (2011), University of Tennessee College of Law

• Five Certificates of Academic Excellence—top course honors

• Chair, Moot Court Executive Board

• National Moot Court Team (national runner-up, regional champion / Best Oral Advocate)

• AAJ Mock Trial Team (regional champion)

• Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law

• McClung Medal & Judge James M. Haynes Prize

 *MA.Ed. (2005), *B.A. (2004), Wake Forest University

 *Honors Diploma (2000), Craigmont High School

Legal & Professional Experience 

      *Partner (2019-’21), Associate (2014-’19, 2011-’13), Butler Snow LLP

      *Adjunct Professor (2019, 2016-’17), University of Memphis School of Law

      *Law Clerk (2013-’14), Judge Bernice Bouie Donald, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit

      *Extern (2011), U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee

      *Summer Associate (2010, 2009), Butler Snow LLP

      *Summer Associate (2010), Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

      *Summer Associate (2010), Burch, Porter & Johnson

      *Summer Associate (2009), Kramer Rayson LLP

      *Teacher (2005-’08), Sherwood Middle School, Memphis City Schools 

Selected Civic & Professional Affiliations 

      *Board of Governors, Tennessee Bar Association

      *Board of Directors, Memphis Bar Association

      *Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court

      *Board of Directors, REACH Memphis

      *Memphis Advisory Board, Facing History & Ourselves

      *Life Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

Selected Honors & Awards 

     *Sam A. Myar, Jr. Memorial Award, for “Outstanding Service,” Memphis Bar Association, 2021

     *Mentor of the Year, University of Memphis School of Law, 2021

     *A.A. Latting Award for Legal Excellence, Ben F. Jones Chapter, National Bar Association, 2021

     *40 Under 40, Memphis Business Journal, 2021

     *40 Under 40, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2021

     *Executive Program, Leadership Memphis, 2020

     *Leadership Law, Tennessee Bar Association, 2019

     *Fellows, New Memphis Institute, 2019

     *Best of the Bar, Memphis Business Journal, 2018

     *Mid-South Rising Star, Business Litigation, Super Lawyers®, 2015-’20