Faculty Profile: Roy Herron

This experienced trial advocate has represented many injured victims and defended many businesses wrongly accused.  For example, Herron brought the case for a wonderful teenager devastated by negligence and, after a month-long trial, the jury awarded a West Tennessee record $15.2 million.  On the other hand, Herron also defended a company falsely accused of wronging an employee and after a week-long jury trial, Herron won a defense verdict.

EDUCATION.  Roy Herron graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with highest honors.  He became a Rotary Scholar at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, achieving first class honors in  his New Testament studies.  He then earned both a M.Div. and a J.D., becoming one of Vanderbilt University’s first two joint Divinity and Law graduates.

WORK.  Roy was ordained a Methodist minister and admitted to the Tennessee bar.  Before entering public service, he worked part-time as a minister, but has made his living primarily as a lawyer.

TEACHING.  At Vanderbilt, Roy taught both law and divinity students in courses he created on Religion and Law, Religion and Politics, and Justice Ministry and Advocacy.  He also taught a legislation seminar at Vanderbilt Law School.  With Governor Ned McWherter and others, he founded the Volunteer Center for Rural Economic Development to teach and help student leaders.

WRITING.  Roy is the author of dozens of articles and essays and four non-fiction books: Things Held Dear: Soul Stories for My Sons, Tennessee Political Humor (with Cotton Ivy), God and Politics: How Can a Christian Be in Politics?, and Faith in Politics.

PUBLIC SERVICE.  Roy was elected to Governor Ned McWherter’s seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, then to the Tennessee Senate where he became Floor Leader and Caucus Chair.  Roy worked in a bipartisan way to author dozens of laws strengthening ethics requirements, enabling health care, attacking crime, helping victims, and protecting children, workers, small businesses, whistleblowers and freedoms.  He held over 1,000 listening meetings, more than any other Tennessee legislator.  He attended almost 1,300 floor sessions, every session for 26 years except the day his youngest son was being born.

PERSONAL.  His law partner and “bride” of 36 years, Nancy, is another Divinity and Law graduate and serves as a Tennessee Claims Commissioner.  She and Roy are the thankful parents of three Eagle Scouts. The Boston Marathoner has completed more than 40 marathons and ultra-marathons.  He also has completed eleven 140 mile Ironman triathlons.