Judge William B. Enright: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. William B. Enright (deceased) served as a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Enright was nominated to the bench by former President Richard Nixon on June 13, 1972, and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 28, 1972. He assumed senior status on July 12, 1990, and retired from the bench in 2001.

Prior to his appointment, Enright worked as an attorney in private practice at Harelson, Enright, Levitt & Karsten, specializing in criminal defense matters. Before that, he spent time as a deputy district attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (1951 to 1954).

Enright received an A.B. in philosophy from Dartmouth College in 1947. He went on to earn an LL.B. from Loyola Law School in 1950.

His memberships included the Louis Welsh American Inn of Court. He was also involved with the San Diego County Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and Defenders, Inc., and he volunteered his service to the United Crusade, the Big Brothers, and the Urban Coalition.

He is a recipient of the Chairman Award from the American Inns of Court Foundation (1987). The William B. Enright Chapter of the American Inns of Court was also established in his honor.

A veteran of the United States Navy Reserve, Enright served during the Second World War as part of the force that occupied Japan. He continued his service after the war, holding assignments in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Navy Reserve (1947 to 1962).

Enright was born in New York, New York. He and his wife, Betti, raised three children. His son, the Hon. Kevin A. Enright, has served as a judge for the San Diego County Superior Court. Enright passed away on March 7, 2020.

He was registered as a Democrat.