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The Law Office of Massey McClusky McClusky & FuchsMember
William D. Massey
Pro

William D. Massey

4.7
15 reviews

3074 East Road, Memphis, TN 38128

Criminal, DUI/DWI, White Collar Crime and 17 more

About William D. Massey

William D. Massey has been practicing law for over thirty-one years, over twenty-eight of those years in the Memphis area. His area of expertise is in trial work for cases involving drug or murder charges. He has tried cases in Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas, in addition to throughout the state of Tennessee. He is a Certified Criminal Defense Specialist in Western Tennessee and he devotes 100% of his practice to litigation work. He also has been chosen on numerous occasions to speak at seminars in order to share his immense experience, particularly pertaining to advocacy related topics.

Published Works

- "Offer the Olive Branch, But Grip the Sword", October and December 2006, February 2007

- "The Heart of a Fighter", April, 2007

- "We Will Remember", June, 2007

- "A Collage from a Believer", August, 2007

Classes/Seminars

- "Suppression of Evidence After Berrios", National Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter, 2007

- "The Gentle Wind of Words, Moving Jurors from Abstract to Experiential", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Key West, FL, 2007

- "Getting It On The Table", Making the Case for Life Seminar X, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Southern Center for Human Rights, Las Vegas, NV, 2007

- "Qualifying and Defending Our Expert Witness", Bench Bar Seminar, Memphis Bar Association, San Destin, FL, 2007

- "The Team Approach to Death Penalty Defense", Loosening the Death Belt, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Birmingham, AL, 2007

- "Opening Statement as Story Telling", Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2006

- "Themes Theory and Theater from Daringly Dangerous Minds", Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2006

- "Embracing Confessions: To Hug or To Squeeze", Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005

- "Closing Argument: Taking the State's Case to the Dump in High Profile Cases", Betting on Justice V, Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Little Rock, AR, 2004

- "Friends Don't Let Friends Waive Opening", Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2004

- "A Diner Menu Approach to Preparing for a Death Penalty Trial: How To Serve Desert with the Main Course and Cook a Little Hash", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, San Antonio, TX, 2004

- "Cross My Heart, Hope to Die: The Pain of False Confessions", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, New York City, NY, 2003

- "Wiggins & ABA Guidelines", Making the Cases for Life Seminar VI, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Southern Center for Human Rights, Memphis, TN, 2003

- Faculty and Senior Instructor, Tennessee Criminal Defense College, 1998 - Present

Honors and Awards

- Best Lawyers in America, 2008 - 2009

- Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2008

- Recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice

- Robert W. Ritchie Award for Outstanding Service to the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2004

- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund's 22nd Annual Capital Punishment Training Conference, 2003

- Lionel Barrett, Jr., Award for Outstanding Work of Death Penalty Arena, 2001

- Special Congressional Recognition, United States House of Representatives for Invaluable and Outstanding Service to Community, 2001

- Who's Who, Executives and Businesses, Honored Professionals, 1999 - 2000

Professional Associations and Memberships

- Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President, 2005 - 2006

- Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Executive Committee, 2001 - 2007

- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2002 - 2008

- Tennessee Bar Association, Parliamentarian, 2003

- Tennessee Bar Association, Executive Committee, 2003 - 2004

- Tennessee Bar Association, Executive Committee, 2006 - 2007

- Memphis Bar Association, Criminal Law Section, President

 

William D. Massey (Memphis, Tennessee) View website

Awards

Client Reviewed
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Champion Badge Reviewed
Distinguished Peer Rated
This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer BV
Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

William D. Massey got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

William D. Massey got this award in 2021

Reviews for William

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Overall Rating
4.7
See All Reviews
15
4.9
Lawyers.com
2
4.5
Martindale
4
4.9
Avvo
9
Showing 1-2 of 2 client reviews from Lawyers.com
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What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
5.0
Quality of Service
5.0
Responsiveness
4.5
Value for Money
5.0
Criminal Law
Posted by James
November 22, 2023
Hired Attorney

Mr. Massey is an exceptional advocate in a class of his own. He prides himself in making his clients feel like they matter. I can personally say that if you're life is on line it gets no better than Mr. Massey to go to war with in the court room. I have nothing but love and the ultimate respect for him as a human being and an attorney.

Personal Injury
Posted by anonymous
October 28, 2010
Hired Attorney

Have known Bill Massey for a number of years and consider him a friend as well as an attorney

From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law 5
    • DUI/DWI
    • Drug Crimes
    • Sex Crimes
    • Theft
    • Homicide
  • White Collar Crime
  • Appellate Practice
  • RICO
  • Other 12
    • Criminal
    • Gun and Weapons Crimes
    • Assault and Battery
    • Parole & Probation
    • State and Federal Criminal Defense
    • Death Penalty Cases
    • Sex Offenses
    • Robbery
    • Pornography
    • Arson
    • Extortion
    • Criminal Defense

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1982, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
    1989, United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
    1989, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
    1992, United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
    1998, United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
    1991, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    1994, United States Supreme Court
    1981, Tennessee
    Memberships
    Criminal Justice Section
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Memphis State University, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law,
    Class of 1981
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Tennessee at Knoxville
    Class of 1978
    B.A.
    Political Science
    Legal Certifications
    Certified Criminal Trial Specialist, Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocacy Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    William D. Massey is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, William D. Massey has a 4.5 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, William D. Massey has a 4.9 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney offer any legal services for a flat fee?
    Yes, William D. Massey offers fixed fees for certain legal services.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    William D. Massey attended Memphis State University, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law,.

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