---
title: "William H. Bright Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-h-bright-jr-ct"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# William H. Bright Jr.

Supreme Court of Connecticut · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Connecticut
- State: Connecticut
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active

## Summary

William H. Bright Jr. — Supreme Court of Connecticut

## Sources

- [2026 Judicial Branch Directory](https://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/Juddir.pdf)
- [Justice William H. Bright Jr. Sworn In to Connecticut Supreme Court](https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2025/03-2025/governor-lamont-announces-justice-william-bright-sworn-in-to-connecticut-supreme-court)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, sworn in on March 5, 2025 after being nominated by Governor Ned Lamont to fill the vacancy created when Raheem L. Mullins became Chief Justice
- Chief Judge of the Appellate Court (2020–2025): Appointed by Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson on August 1, 2020
- Tolland District Superior Court (2008–2017): Nominated by Governor M. Jodi Rell in January 2008; served as Chief Administrative Judge for the Civil Division and Administrative/Presiding Judge for the Tolland/Rockville Judicial District
- Managing partner of McCarter & English’s Hartford office; co-chair of the firm’s Business Litigation practice group
- Shareholder in Cummings & Lockwood; chair of the firm’s Litigation practice group

### Education

- University of Chicago Law School — J.D. (1987)
- Dickinson College — B.A. (1984)

### Additional information

- Connecticut Supreme Court (2025–present): Appointed January 27, 2025; confirmed by the General Assembly on March 5, 2025
- Connecticut Appellate Court (2017–2025): Appointed by Governor Dannel Malloy on October 4, 2017; sworn in November 1, 2017
- Born August 15, 1962, in Columbia, Connecticut
- Justice Bright has served on and chaired multiple Judicial Branch committees, including the Civil Commission, Client Security Fund Committee, Civil Jury Instruction Committee, Rules Committee, and Pro Bono Committee
- He currently chairs the Access to Justice Commission and the Rules Committee of the Superior Court, and co-chairs the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Public Access to Court Proceedings Disclaimer](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-21bd1bf41ea720ef9ce0bb9f) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://jud.ct.gov/PublicAccess/Disclamer.html). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Protocol Concerning Requests for Audio Recording, Broadcasting, Televising, Videotaping or Photographing of Supreme and Appellate Court Oral Arguments](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-6544a1e9a4dd654b6bdba042) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/protocol_ap_oral_argu.htm). Collected 2026-07-26.