Upon graduation from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Redding Pitt served as an officer in United States Army in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He also served in the Office of the Chief of Staff for Intelligence in Washington, D.C. After receiving his Juris Doctorate from Boston College School of Law, he returned to his home-state where he served as Assistant Attorney General from 1981 through 1991, then Chief Deputy Attorney General 1991 through 1994. Proceeding that term, he served as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery.

Pitt has also served in state government in numerous advisory capacities, such as Assistant Legal Advisor to the Director of Finance and General Counsel to the Office of Secretary of State. In addition, served on the Attorney General's Hate Crimes Working and the Advisory Committee on Investigations and Intelligence, Justice Programs and Juvenile Justice. He is a board member of various civic organizations, and is a member of numerous bar and professional organizations. Currently, Pitt serves as Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, a four-year post he was elected to in January 2003.

Pitt is married to Jane LaCroy Brannon of Montgomery, and has one son, William Rivers Pitt, 31, who resides in Massachusetts.