William M. Trott was born in Raleigh where he attended Broughton High School. He attended UNC CH on a Morehead Scholarship and UNC CH Law School where he was a member of the Law Review. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy JAG Corps for four years following law school during which time he obtained a second degree in law, an LLM with highest honors from George Washington University.

He is a partner with Young, Moore and Henderson, PA. in Raleigh where he is engaged in the civil practice of law with an emphasis on employment and insurance law. He has presented papers and lectures on numerous occasions to various state and international legal groups and has been recognized by peer groups and media organizations in his field of law.

He has been active for many years in a number of public service organizations. He served as President of the Capital Area Soccer League. He has been a volunteer or the board of the North Carolina Tennis Association for many years. For many years he served as Vice President of the North Carolina Tennis Foundation where he was heavily involved in its successful fund raising drive. He served on the Wake County Parks and Recreation Commission for many years, part of the time as its Chairman. He served on the Board of Visitors of Peace College, has been a volunteer with the Triangle Greenways Council land committee and has served on several other boards.