[1][2] Admitted to the California State Bar in 1933, he worked in private practice at the law firm of Barrick, Poole & Knox in Pasadena, California until 1953, except for 1942–1946 when he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

In 1970, Reagan appointed Wright as the 24th Chief Justice of California, where he served from April 17, 1970, until his retirement on February 1, 1977.

[8] Among Wright's most notable cases was People v. Anderson (1972), striking down the death penalty as cruel and unusual punishment, and in violation of the state constitution.

[9] In another opinion, Vesely v. Sager (1971), he crafted the doctrine of host liability for a provider of alcohol to someone who later injures another.

In 1972, the California Trial Lawyers Association named Wright the Appellate Judge of the Year.