Bill Herbert

Bill joined Thompson Burton after spending the last decade at the Codes Department for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County where he served as Director of the department as well as Zoning Administrator. Under Bill’s leadership, the number of permits issued by Codes increased nearly 45%.  In his final year, the department issued permits totaling a record near $5.5 billion in construction value.  Bill was personally responsible for implementing the systems which made it possible for the department to keep pace with this increased demand.  While overseeing this growth, Bill simultaneously oversaw enforcement of the Metro Building Code and drafted legislation at the state and local level related to land use and zoning.

Prior to leading the Codes Department as Director, Bill was the Metro Zoning Administrator.  As such, he was the City’s final authority on all interpretations of the Metro Zoning Code and its implementation, as well as administrator of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Bill also worked as an attorney for the Metropolitan Department of Law advising various Metro Departments including the Mayor’s Office, Codes Department, Planning Department, Fire Marshal’s office, Department of Public Works (now the Nashville Department of Transportation), the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission among other Metro departments, boards, and commissions.  Bill’s relationships in Nashville and Davidson County are unparalleled.  His work for the city required him to have a command of fire, water, planning, transportation, and public works, and the relationships in government offices therein.

In addition to his work for Metro, Bill has more than thirty years of experience in land use and zoning law, floodplain administration, building codes, construction law, and municipal law.  He also has extensive experience practicing before both state and federal trial and appellate courts.  Prior to working for Metro, Bill was County Attorney for Cheatham County, TN, and City Attorney for the Town of Pegram, TN, where he advised both municipalities’ Boards of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commissions.

Bill is a lifelong Nashvillian with roots in Nashville extending as far back as the late 1700s.  He is committed to conservation and helped create the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation to preserve the state’s hunting, fishing, and natural resources.  In his free time, you can usually find Bill fly fishing or otherwise enjoying the outdoors.