By Tanna M. Friday, sponsored content
For more than 42 years Trussville attorney, William Bright, has had a passion for law and advocacy. Beginning his legal career in 1979 with the Alabama Attorney General’s office, Bright served under Attorney General Bill Baxley advising and representing the Alabama legislature, state agencies, and advocating as the people’s attorney for the citizens of Alabama.
Bright graduated from Auburn University and received his juris doctorate degree from Birmingham School of Law while working for the Alabama Attorney General’s office.
“I was introduced to law when I was a kid,” said Bright. “My scoutmaster was an attorney and he led me in that direction. I admired him greatly and ultimately clerked for him.”
Bright shares his passion and advocacy in several aspects of his life including his Trussville private practice representing clients in the areas of family and trial law.
“After Bill Baxley left the Alabama Attorney General’s office, I left as well and went into private practice,” said Bright. “Being a veteran in the community, divorce law kind of worked its way in my area of practice. You get halfway decent at it and it becomes your specialty. I do other areas of law, but 90% of my work is divorce work.”
Family law can also be challenging and emotionally exhausting work. But four decades later—and 38 years after starting his practice—Bright still feels as though it’s his calling and his passion.
“It allows me to do what I enjoy—trial work, advocate for others, be compassionate and help others,” said Bright.
“I’ve experienced divorce personally,” said Bright. “My parents divorced and I, too, have been divorced,” said Bright. “Divorce is traumatic, no matter what happens and my primary concern are the kids involved.”
Bright feels energized by being able to help clients through some of the hardest times of their lives.
“You’re dealing with someone’s life…The case of their life…they could lose their children, they could lose their money, and maybe they’ve suffered abuse or are an addict,” he says. “The divorce lawyer you chose is important.”
In family law, there are volatile emotions, tangled finances, bitter custody disputes, and lots of worry and pain. As Bright noted, no one wants a divorce, but if one is needed he is a compassionate and skilled attorney who can represent well.
Bright’s attributes of advocacy and passion shine through in many other facets of his life including the foundation he and his wife, Lisa Bright (Trussville City Council member), helped establish, The Will Bright Foundation, in memory of their son, Will. The Will Bright Foundation helps fund addiction recovery for those who are unable to afford treatment as well as offer housing, training and job placement for those who complete the recovery program.
“Will died of a heroin overdose at the age of 25,” shares Bright. “He tried so hard to overcome his addiction, but when he left rehab he had nowhere to go to help him with his recovery.”
The Will Bright Foundation is a non-profit established in 2014 and takes [their] “pain and turning it into [their] purpose allows the Will Bright Foundation to make a difference in many lives.” The foundation offers 1) scholarships to those unable to afford recovery; 2) next step/transitional living at Restoration Springs to receive counseling, job readiness training and job placement; and 3) extended awareness, legislation and education information on the Opioid Crisis through a coalition group, Voices for Non-Opioid Choices. For more information, visit www.WillBrightFoundation.com.
The Brights have continued making trips to Capitol Hill concerning the Opioid Crisis and how it affects families.
“This opportunity has allowed us to become involved with, and a charter member of Voices for Non-Opioid Choices, an advocacy group dedicated to how pain management is treated,” said Bright. “Through this grassroots movement, we have spoken to numerous Senators and Congressmen on Capitol Hill, from all over the United States, concerning the Opioid Crisis, addiction, recovery and of course the Will Bright Foundation. We count this as a blessing and honor to share our story of Will not only as an addict but as our son.”
This is one of the many reasons why Bright never grows weary of advocating for clients when they need it most and feels grateful who can assist as many people as possible.