William H. Pryor

Date of Birth: April 26, 1962

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Biography

William Holcombe Pryor Jr. is a distinguished American judge currently serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, and has had a prolific career in the legal field, marked by his conservative judicial philosophy and commitment to the rule of law. Pryor attended Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe) on a wrestling scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1984. He then received his Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School in 1987, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Tulane Law Review. After graduating, Pryor clerked for Judge John Minor Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He later practiced law in Birmingham, Alabama, before being appointed as the Attorney General of Alabama in 1997 by then-Governor Fob James. During his tenure as Attorney General, Pryor gained national attention for his staunch defense of Alabama’s death penalty and his legal arguments in favor of states’ rights. In 2004, President George W. Bush nominated Pryor to the Eleventh Circuit. His confirmation process was contentious, but he was eventually confirmed by the Senate in 2005. Pryor’s judicial opinions have often centered on issues of federalism, religious liberty, and the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. He is also known for his academic contributions, having taught courses in constitutional law and ethics at the University of Alabama School of Law.

5 Interesting Facts about William H. Pryor

1. William H. Pryor Jr. served as the Attorney General of Alabama from 1997 to 2004.

2. He was nominated to the Eleventh Circuit by President George W. Bush and confirmed in 2005.

3. Pryor has been a vocal supporter of the death penalty and has argued several high-profile cases regarding its application.

4. He was a key figure in the legal battles over the removal of the Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Judicial Building.

5. Pryor has taught constitutional law and ethics at the University of Alabama School of Law.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William H. Pryor

1. “The Constitution is not a living organism. It is a legal document, and it says what it says and doesn’t say what it doesn’t say.”

2. “The rule of law means that we are governed by laws, not by the whims of individuals.”

3. “Judges must interpret the law as it is written, not as they wish it were.”

4. “Federalism allows states to be laboratories of democracy, experimenting with policies that reflect the diverse values of their citizens.”

5. “Religious liberty is one of the fundamental freedoms protected by our Constitution, and it must be vigorously defended.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William H. Pryor Jr.’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his judicial salary, academic work, and previous legal practice.

Children

William H. Pryor Jr. has two children. He has often spoken about the importance of family and the role it plays in shaping one’s values and principles.