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also known as William R. Wright, William Wright
William was born in Jackson, Mississippi, educated in the Jackson Public Schools and graduated from Murrah High School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1968 and a Master of Business Administration in 1970 from the University of Southern Mississippi. William served in the United States Army as a lieutenant with the 1st Infantry Division from 1970 to 1972. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1974, and served as business manager of the Mississippi Law Journal.
William practices with Heidelberg Patterson Welch Wright LLC in Ridgeland. William has developed a statewide practice limited to the family law area, which includes divorce, child custody, property division, adoption, marital contracts and international child abduction cases. He also mediates family law cases. His former firm, Wright Gregg & Proctor, has been selected several times as one of the Best Firms for family law in America by U.S. News & World Report.
Over the past 30 years, William has been lead counsel in numours Mississippi appellate court decisions that have had significant impact on the body of family law in Mississippi.
William has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in family law since 2001 and was named Lawyer of the Year in Family Law for 2013, 2017, 202 and 2024. He also has been listed in the Mid-South edition of SuperLawyers in family law since its inception. In 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, William was named one of the top 50 lawyers in Mississippi in all categories by SuperLawyers. In 2010, The Mississippi Business Journal included him as one of 50 Mississippi lawyers in that publication’s initial Leadership in Law Class. William is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
William has served on the Taxation Committee of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association. He has been active with the Mississippi Bar and has served on numerous committees. William served two terms as Chairman of the Family Law Section of the Mississippi Bar and served on the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Bar Foundation. William served as a Mississippi Bar Commissioner from 2006 to 2009 served from 2010 to 2013 on the Committee on Professional Responsibility. He is Past President of the Capital Area Bar Association and served on its Legal Economics Committee and People's Law School Committee for several years. William received the CABA "Professionalism Award" for 2015.
William is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the state’s only fellow in the International Academy of Family Lawyers. William is one of only 100 family lawyers in America elected as diplomats in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (Emeritus). He served for several years on the editorial board of The Matrimonial Strategist where many of William’s articles have been published nationally. William is a frequent speaker on family law topics, and in 2004 was asked by the University of Texas School of Law to be Moderator for the School's Symposium on The Civil Aspects of Internatioinal Child Abduction (Hague Convention).
William is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Jackson, past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Downtown YMCA, and is a member of the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association. He is a member of the USM Alumni Association, the USM M-Club Alumni Association, and the University of Mississippi Alumni Association. William is a member of the Lamar Order, and has served on the Board of Directors of the USM Foundation. He has served two terms on the Board of Directors of The Shepherd's Staff Counseling Center and formerly served as President and board member of the Neighborhood Christian Center and board member of Covenant Presbyterian Preschool. William has been a member of the Mississippi Museum of Art, Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi, Madison County Foundation, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce.
William and his wife, DeAnn, have two daughters; Julia, a marriage and family therapist in Jackson with the Turning Point; and Anna Wright Puckett, a pharmacist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The Wrights are members of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.
2
Practice Areas
31 years | 2,000 cases
52 years | 2,000 cases
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Chat withState: Mississippi
Acquired: 1974
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368 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS, 39157
8 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
A Fighter for Justice
If you need someone to stand up for you and fight for you, William is the one to hire. After a long time of feeling like there was no justice, William and his crew prepared an incredible case and brought the truth to light. As uneasy as going through litigation is, his staff at the office are great t...
Posted by Avery | October 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Honest, passionate, ethical
After working with William for two years on my case, I feel like I could write a novel about how great he was and how thankful I am of his services. I will simplify it with this. William made us feel like family, I know he is a busy man, but I always felt as though I was a priority. I felt that he ge...
Posted by anonymous | October 16, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
I will recommend to anyone
William Wright saved my life. I cannot say too much about his representation of me in my child custody case. When I hired him, he made it a point to not promise me the moon and the stars. That concerned me at first, but I learned that there are no guarantees in chancery court. Anyway, everything w...
Posted by anonymous | April 01, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Great lawyer and very accessible!!
My impression of lawyers was pretty negative at the time I had to hire a lawyer to handle my divorce and custody case. I had heard that divorce lawyers were arrogant and inaccessible. That impression changed dramatically after I retained William Wright of Wright Law Firm for my case upon the recomm...
Posted by anonymous | March 24, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Outstanding, smart, experienced, caring, ethical divorce trial lawyer! I recommend highly!
William Wright was referred to me by two lawyers and one clergyman to handle a divorce for me after my marriage of many years fell apart. It was an emotional time for my entire family. We had a complex marital estate and issues to resolve with visitation and custody. After about 15 minutes with Wi...
"I have had numerous cases against William over the years, and I am always inspired by his intellect, his courtesy both in and out of the courtroom, and his empathy and compassion for his clients. William is a consummate professional, and I highly recommend him for all areas of domestic law."
"William is a giant in the field of Divorce and Family Law. To put it simply, he is one of the best in Mississippi and a shining example of the qualities necessary for an exceptional lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. William is a very knowledgeable and professional lawyer. He is a worthy adversary and works hard for his clients."
"William is an excellent family law attorney. He is compassionate and empathetic when dealing with his family law clients, and he truly cares about the outcome of their case. He is hard-working and available when needed, and truly cares about the clients that he represents. I would welcome the opportunity to work with him in the future and would certainly recommend him to anyone needing a family law attorney."
"William is one of the Godfathers of Mississippi family law. He is a constant gentleman, and a very worthy adversary. I have lots of respect for his approach and the firm he has built with my friend Bo Gregg."
"William is an excellent attorney who has abundant knowledge and years of experience. His wisdom, dedication, and kind hearted spirit are just a few of the many wonderful qualities that he demonstrates in his practice of law and which set him apart from other attorneys. Anyone would be greatly privileged to have William as their attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a very effective divorce and family law attorney in Mississippi. He is well-known and well-respected among the other lawyers in the community. He has a very deep knowledge and understanding of the law, and he is well-respected by all of the judges. He treats everyone with respect, even in the stressful times of a divorce. He goes above and beyond in looking at the financial situation of each client to determine what is the best approach to get the best result for his clients."
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2016
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2016
Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2016
Best Law Firms (in America), US News & World Report
2015
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2015
Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2015
Best Law Firms (in America), U.S. News & World Reprt
2015
Top 100 lawyers in America--Founding member, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Professionalism Award--2015, Capital Area Bar Association
2013
Top 50 lawyers in Mississippi, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2013
Lawyer of the year--Family law, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2012
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi, Mississippi Business Journal
2012
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2011
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Top 50 lawyers in Mississippi, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2010
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2009
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2009
Top 100 Family Lawyers in America, American College of Family Trial Lawyers
2008
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2008
Top 50 lawyers in Mississippi, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2007
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2006
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2005
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2004
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2003
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2002
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2001
Best Lawyers in America--Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
1990
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2021 - Present
Partner, Heidelberg Patterson Welch Wright PLLC
1996 - 2021
Managing Partner, Wright Gregg & Proctor, P.A.
1987 - 1996
Partner, Martin, Young & Wright
1984 - 1987
Partner, Wright & Young
1981 - 1984
Partner, Wright, Overstreet & Young
1979 - 1981
Owner, William R. Wright, Attorney at Law
1974 - 1979
Associate Lawyer, Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes
2015 - Present
American Bar AssociationFellow, American Bar Foundation
2009 - Present
American College of Family Trial LawyersDiplomate
2005 - Present
Madison County Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Mississippi Bar FoundationFellow
2000 - Present
Internationl Academy of Matrimonial LawyersFellow
1994 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial LawyersFellow
1986 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1974 - Present
Mississippi BarMember
2010 - 2013
Mississippi BarCommittee on Professional Responsibility
2008 - 2009
Mississippi BarExectuve Committee
2006 - 2009
Mississippi BarCommisioner
2002 - 2003
Capitol Area Bar AssociationPresident
1999 - 2000
Mississippi Bar, Family Law SectionChairman
1994 - 1995
Mississippi Bar, Family Law SectionChariman
1974
JD - Juris Doctor
1970
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1968
BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration
2017
The UCCJEA: Working Through the Maze
2017
Divorce Taxation
2013
"Alimony in Mississippi"
2012
"Making Sense of Recent Family Law Decisions"
2011
"11 Random Tax Tips for Family Lawyers"
2010
"Porter v. Porter: The View from Inside"
2010
"Fault Grounds in Mississippi"
2008
"Failure to Understand Tax Consequences of Assets"
2007
"Overview of Equitable Distribution in Mississippi"
2007
"Joint Physical Custody: Is it Really?"
2006
"When is Alimony Taxable and Deductible?"
2006
"Antenuptial Agreements and Postmnuptial Agreements in Mississippi"
2005
"Child Custody and the Daubert Standard"
2005
"Mediation in Family Law Cases:"
2004
"Converting Rehab Alimony to Permanent Alimony"
2004
"The Marital Residence: Should Your Client Leave?"
2003
"The Marital Residence: Should Your Client Leave?"
2002
Moderator: "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: Triumph or Disaster?"
2002
"Domestic Relations in Mississippi"
2001
"Homosexuality and Child Custody"
2001
"Domestic Relations: Bridging the Gap"
2000
Divorce Taxation Tips
1999
"Office Procedures"
1998
"Taxable Alimony--Revisited"
1996
"Firm Organization and Management/Client Relations and Business Development"
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
English
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