Experienced Legal Strategist. Civil Rights Defender. Constitutional Advocate.
Constitutional Experience
Decades of work centered on the interpretation, defense, and enforcement of individual rights under state and federal law.
Principled Representation
Each case is approached with clarity, discipline, and a commitment to lawful, no-nonsense legal advocacy.
Meet Your Advocate
A Career Grounded in Principle and Experience
John I. Harris III is a Tennessee native, constitutional scholar, and seasoned litigator with over 30 years of experience advocating in both state and federal courts. His practice spans firearms law, estate litigation, civil rights, and constitutional issues—areas where personal liberty and government authority often collide.
John’s legal approach is grounded in both strategic precision and personal principle. He’s served as legislative counsel to the Tennessee General Assembly, advised clients ranging from individuals to nonprofit organizations, and taught law as an adjunct professor. His work consistently reflects a commitment to due process, lawful governance, and the protection of foundational rights.
Whether he’s advising a family in probate court or challenging unconstitutional overreach, John brings clarity, focus, and conviction to every case.
Some Quick Facts
- Education: B.A. (1983) & J.D. (1986), Vanderbilt University
- Practice Areas: Civil and business litigation, probate & estate planning, nonprofit representation, firearms & explosives law
- Leadership: Executive Director, Tennessee Firearms Association (since 1995); Board Member, Tennessee Firearms Foundation
- Author: Carrying a Handgun for Self-Defense in Tennessee (3rd Edition, 2003)
- Admissions: Tennessee State Courts, U.S. Supreme Court, and multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals (3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 11th Circuits)
The Second Amendment is not limited to 'keeping' and 'bearing' but includes protections for ancillary rights... Ignoring or infringing this amendment weakens the constitutional framework upon which all other civil liberties depend. Liberty is fragile, but law is precise. That’s why details matter.
Detailed Bio
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.
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; probate and estate planning; and the representation of non-profit organizations. Mr. Harris also handles a wide variety of topics that individuals and businesses may need including involving trusts, estates, wills, medical negligence, and personal injury disputes.
In addition to a broad practice base, 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 Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, the Tennessee Firearms Association and several national self-defense organizations.
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 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 teaches 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 various aspects pertaining to the defensive use of deadly force under Tennessee law.
Mr. Harris has served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.. since 1995 and is on the board of the Tennessee Firearms Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Harris is the author of Carrying a Handgun for Self Defense In Tennessee (3rd Edition 2003).
Mr. Harris is licensed to practice in Tennessee, before the United States Supreme Court, in the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Eleventh federal appellate circuits and in number federal district courts.
Mr. Harris has received recognition from the State of Tennessee repeatedly for his work with the Tennessee Firearms Association and on 2nd Amendment issues:
Rooted in Principle. Focused on You.
Whether your concern involves protecting your rights, resolving a dispute, or preparing for the future, you deserve counsel grounded in clarity, experience, and conviction. John Harris provides legal guidance that honors the law—and the individual.