- Bart Durham is a veteran personal injury attorney with over 35 years of experience.
- He began his career in the US Army and later served as an assistant United States Attorney and assistant attorney general in Nashville.
- Durham’s practice areas include personal injury law, product liability, and wrongful death cases.
- He is recognized for his innovative advertising strategies, including the use of TV commercials and billboards.
Newsypeople- Nashville mourns the loss of Bart Durham, a cherished member of the community, who passed away at the age of 89 on Tuesday. With a career spanning back to 1975, Durham was a seasoned personal injury attorney, having represented countless clients. Notably, he served as a state lawyer and argued three cases before the Supreme Court, as well as overseeing the prosecution of James Earl Ray.
Durham established the Bart Durham Injury Law Firm in the 1970s, emphasizing the slogan “You Deserve Justice – And We Demand It.”
Moreover, Durham gained recognition for his memorable soap opera-style commercials in the mid-2000s, which were featured across various media platforms including publications, broadcasts, and billboards.
Longtime Nashville attorney Bart Durham has died.
— NewsChannel 5 (@NC5) April 9, 2024
He was 89.
"It is with deep sorrow and a burdened heart that I share the news of the passing of my father, Bart Durham, a legendary figure in the local legal community and a beloved patriarch to our family."
Bart Durham Illness And Health Condition: What Happened?
Bart Durham, the founder of Bart Durham Injury Law, passed away at the age of 89 on April 9, 2024. His death was announced by his firm, Bart Durham Injury Law, which highlighted his significant contributions to the legal community and his personal life. Durham was known for his dedication to justice, unparalleled work ethic, and boundless generosity, leaving an enduring impact on his family, firm, and the countless lives he touched.
Durham’s career spanned several decades, starting with his service in the U.S. Army, followed by his education at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Southern Law University in Memphis. After graduating, he practiced law with his father in his hometown and later worked as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Memphis. He moved to Nashville in 1969 for a position as a prosecuting attorney in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, where he argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1975, Durham went into private practice with his peer Henry Haile, representing thousands of personal injury cases and becoming the first lawyer to advertise his services in print, on radio, and TV.
Throughout his life, Durham was known for his flair, enjoying activities such as flying and attending Ferrari racing meets. He was a member of the Nashville Korean Presbyterian Church and was survived by his wife Cindy (Sin Young Kang) Durham, children Colin and Michele (Falletta) Durham, Blair and Kelley (Bean) Durham, and his grandchildren Ethan and Adelynn. His family and friends celebrated his life with a visitation and a celebration of life, with donations requested in lieu of flowers or gifts to be shared with Heart’n Soul Hospice.
The specific details regarding Bart Durham’s illness and health condition leading to his death were not disclosed. However, his obituary and the tributes from his family and the legal community highlight his remarkable life and career, emphasizing his dedication to his work and his community.
Bart Durham Achievement Explored
Bart Durham, a renowned Nashville personal injury attorney, was recognized for his significant contributions to the legal community and his unparalleled work ethic. Born on March 5, 1935, in Ripley, Tennessee, Durham’s journey in the legal field began with his father, an attorney, and continued through various stages of his career, including serving in the U.S. Army, attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and earning his degree from Southern Law University in Memphis.
After passing the bar in 1963, he began his legal practice in his hometown, eventually moving to Nashville in 1969 to work as a prosecuting attorney in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. During this time, he argued three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, which he considered among his proudest accomplishments.
Durham’s career took a significant turn in 1975 when he entered private practice with his peer Henry Haile. Despite starting with little money, Durham represented thousands of personal injury cases and was named a senior counselor by the Tennessee Bar Association. He became the first lawyer to advertise his services in print, on radio, and TV, a practice he continued for years. His law firm’s advertising campaigns, particularly the serial soap opera ads in the mid-to-late 2000s, were known for their entertaining and sometimes confusing content, featuring “scantily clad women,” “‘Miami Vice’-style boats,” and a “never-ending plot”.
Longtime Nashville Attorney Bart Durham, who has entered the local cultural zeitgeist with all of his advertising over the years, has passed away. He was 89 years old.
— Chris Davis NC5 (@ChrisDavisMMJ) April 9, 2024
His funeral is set for Tuesday April 16th at noon, at Woodmont Christian Church. pic.twitter.com/UXCkdVqNQe
Durham’s commitment to justice and his tireless work ethic were highlighted throughout his career. His modest self-esteem, stemming from his early start in law and his perception of himself as a “nobody” compared to his more experienced colleagues, fueled his dedication to his work. This mindset instilled in him a habit of reflecting on his luck and the opportunities he had been given, which he carried throughout his life.
Beyond his professional achievements, Durham was known for his personal flair and interests. He enjoyed flying, wrestling, and attending Ferrari racing meets. His fondness for Ferraris led him to found the Tennessee Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America in 1997, where he served as its president and the regional director of the Southeast Region.
Durham’s legacy is marked by his selfless service to the people of his community, helping thousands of individuals through his legal practice. His dedication to justice, combined with his unparalleled work ethic and boundless generosity, left an enduring impact on his family, his firm, Bart Durham Injury Law, and the countless lives he touched. His passing at the age of 89 was mourned by many, including fellow personal injury attorney Rocky McElhaney, who remembered Durham as a “legendary figure in the local legal community” and a “beloved patriarch to our family”.
