William Y. Pemberton

William Y. Pemberton (June 1, 1841 (1843 in some sources) – August 26, 1922) was the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court from 1893 until 1899, succeeding Judge Henry N. Blake.

Early life, education, and career Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Pemberton was impressed with the performance of prosecution attorney William Fisk Sanders, the summation of which Pemberton would later remember as the most powerful that he ever heard. He was elected Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, serving in that capacity until 1899. He then returned to the practice of law, and in 1909 became librarian of the state historical society (Montana Historical Society), remaining that position until 1920, when infirmity compelled his retirement. He was the state's second chief justice, although there were several during the territorial period.

He died at Excelsior Springs, Missouri outside Kansas City after two years of illness.