William Thaddeus Coleman III
Encyclopedia
William Thaddeus Coleman III (born 1947) is a United States
lawyer
who served as General Counsel of the Army
during the Clinton administration.
on April 20, 1947, the son of William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr.
and his wife Lovida. He was educated at Williams College
(B.A.), and Yale Law School
(J.D.
). During his first year at law school, he was befriended by fellow law student Bill Clinton
and the two were roommates during their second year of law school.
Coleman was admitted to the bar of Georgia in 1974, and has practiced law since then, most recently in Philadelphia. In the 1990s, when Bill Clinton became President of the United States
, he appointed Coleman General Counsel of the Army
. Coleman was the subject of a minor scandal in 1997 when he was accused of sexual harassment
. An investigation into the allegations by the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
later concluded that, while Coleman had told some off-color jokes, he had not committed sexual harassment.
Coleman married his wife, Allegra Saenz Coleman, in 2003, and together the couple have two children: William Thaddeus Coleman IV and Amadeus Alexander-Browne Coleman.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
who served as General Counsel of the Army
General Counsel of the Army
The General Counsel of the Army is the General Counsel of the United States Department of the Army and the chief legal counselor of the United States Secretary of the Army...
during the Clinton administration.
Biography
William Thaddeus Coleman III was born in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
on April 20, 1947, the son of William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr.
William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr.
William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr. was the fourth United States Secretary of Transportation, from March 7, 1975 to January 20, 1977, and the second African American to serve in the Cabinet...
and his wife Lovida. He was educated at Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
(B.A.), and Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
(J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
). During his first year at law school, he was befriended by fellow law student Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and the two were roommates during their second year of law school.
Coleman was admitted to the bar of Georgia in 1974, and has practiced law since then, most recently in Philadelphia. In the 1990s, when Bill Clinton became President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, he appointed Coleman General Counsel of the Army
General Counsel of the Army
The General Counsel of the Army is the General Counsel of the United States Department of the Army and the chief legal counselor of the United States Secretary of the Army...
. Coleman was the subject of a minor scandal in 1997 when he was accused of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
. An investigation into the allegations by the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
The Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense...
later concluded that, while Coleman had told some off-color jokes, he had not committed sexual harassment.
Coleman married his wife, Allegra Saenz Coleman, in 2003, and together the couple have two children: William Thaddeus Coleman IV and Amadeus Alexander-Browne Coleman.