Oliver is a former Justice on the Supreme Court of Mississippi. He enjoys politics, photography, hiking, travel, and various outdoor sports. He practices law in Mississippi and serves on the board of the Mississippi Innocence Project. Oliver received a degree in political science from the University of South Alabama. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and he received an LLM from the University of Virginia School of Law. His career as a Supreme Court Justice was the subject of the award winning documentary film Hot Coffee, and served as the inspiration for John Grisham's novel, The Appeal, and  is now being made into a feature film.

​

He has had appearances and interviews on CNN, the BBC, New York Times, the Los Angeles Times,Harper's Magazine, Democracy Now, the National Press Club, various local newspapers and radio programs, and is a frequent lecturer at law schools and bar organizations.

Judge Diaz's book, Saunter in the Mountains, features photographs of his 230 mile hike on the John Muir Trail with his wife, Jennifer, along with a short biography and quotes by John Muir.

​

Jennifer owned and operated Green Oaks Bed and Breakfast in Biloxi, Mississippi. She enjoys tennis, cooking, hiking, scuba diving and travel. She attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in marketing and business. She has appeared in Food and Wine, Travel and Leisure, Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Sky Magazine, along with various international travel publications.

​

Oliver and Jennifer married in 1984 and have lived on a 43 acre farm in Madison, Mississippi where they have raised their two children, several dogs, numerous cats, and three horses.

They now spend their time slowly traveling the world, meeting new friends, and finding adventure.