Hon. William B. Enright

The Honorable William B. Enright was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California in 1972, and went on senior status July 12, 1990, and went on senior inactive status in 2001. Before his appointment to the Bench, Judge Enright was an outstanding trial lawyer, first as a Deputy District Attorney, and then as a criminal defense lawyer. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Diplomat of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Judge Enright's dedication to the goals and principles of the American Inns of Court movement has been widely recognized and he was a major force in the movement's acceptance in California. He was a founding member of the Louis Welsh American Inn of Court (No. 9), and assisted in the formation of many other Inns at both the state and national levels.

Judge Enright served as Trustee for the American Inns of Court Foundation from 1985 to 1992. He was one of ten Emeritus Trustees.

In 1987, the American Inns of Court Foundation awarded Judge Enright the Chairman's Award (now the A. Sherman Christensen Award), which is bestowed upon a "member of an American Inn of Court who, at the local, state or national level has provided distinguished, exceptional and significant leadership to the American Inns of Court movement." He was the only Californian to receive this award and a measure of being a recipient -- in both prestige and Inn service -- can be seen in his successor to the award: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.

There are many examples of ways Judge Enright worked in the general and legal community to make California a better place, including community involvement (Rotary Club, United Crusade, Big Brothers, Little League, Urban Coalition) and legal leadership (President, San Diego Bar Association, 1965; President, Defenders, Inc., 1972; Vice-President, State Bar of California, 1970). He was also a chair or member of numerous state, 9th Circuit and national boards working to improve our justice system.

Judge Enright died on March 6, 2020.

The Hon. William B. Enright Inn of Court held a tribute presentation to honor it namesake on October 21, 2021 at the Carter-Keep Federal Courthouse in San Diego, California. A video recording of this tribute presentation can be see here.

You can support the American Inns of Court Foundation in Honor of the late Judge William B. Enright by making a donation to the American Inns of Court Foundation.