William H. Bright Jr.
American judge (born 1962)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William H. Bright Jr. (born August 15, 1962) is an associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He previously served as the chief judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court.
William Bright | |
|---|---|
| Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office March 5, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Ned Lamont |
| Preceded by | Raheem L. Mullins |
| Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court | |
| In office August 1, 2020 – March 5, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Richard A. Robinson |
| Preceded by | Alexandra Davis DiPentima |
| Succeeded by | Melanie L. Cradle |
| Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court | |
| In office November 1, 2017 – March 5, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Dannel Malloy |
| Succeeded by | Robin Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 15, 1962 |
| Education | Dickinson College (BA) University of Chicago (JD) |
Education
Bright earned his Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College in 1984 and his J.D. degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1987.[1][2]
Career
He was the managing partner of McCarter & English's Hartford law office and co-chair of the firm's Business Litigation practice group. He also was a shareholder in Cummings & Lockwood, a member of the firm's Board of Directors, and chair of the firm's Litigation practice group.[1][2]
State court service
Bright was appointed to the Tolland District Superior Court by Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell in 2008.[1]
Appointment to state appellate court
On October 4, 2017, Governor Dan Malloy appointed him to the Connecticut Appellate Court.[2][3] He was confirmed on November 1, 2017.[4] On April 24, 2020, Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson announced the appointment of Bright to be the next Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court, effective August 1, 2020.[5]
Connecticut Supreme Court
On January 27, 2025, Governor Lamont nominated Bright to serve as an associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He was nominated to fill the vacancy left by the elevation of Raheem L. Mullins to serve as chief justice.[6] On February 26, 2025, his nomination was reported out of committee.[7] On March 5, his nomination was confirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly and he was sworn in later that day.[8][9]
