William J. Riley

William Jay Riley
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office June 30, 2017 – January 27, 2023
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office March 31, 2010 – March 11, 2017
Preceded by	James B. Loken
Succeeded by	Lavenski Smith
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office August 3, 2001 – June 30, 2017
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	C. Arlen Beam
Succeeded by	L. Steven Grasz
Personal details
Born	(1947-03-11)March 11, 1947 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	January 27, 2023(2023-01-27) (aged 75)
Education	University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BA, JD)

William Jay Riley (March 11, 1947 – January 27, 2023) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Education and background

Riley received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska and earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law. Following graduation, he was a law clerk to Eighth Circuit Judge Donald P. Lay, and then he was in private practice until his appointment to the Eighth Circuit. From 2006 to 2023, he taught as an adjunct professor at the Creighton University School of Law, and at University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law.^[1]

Federal judicial service

On May 23, 2001, he was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat vacated by Judge C. Arlen Beam.^[2] He was swiftly confirmed 97–0 by the United States Senate just over two months later on August 2, 2001.^[3] He received his commission on August 3, 2001.^[1] He assumed senior status on June 30, 2017,^[1] and inactive senior status on August 31, 2017.^[4]

Personal life and death

Riley died on January 27, 2023, at the age of 75.^[1][5]

References

1. William J. Riley at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. "PN458 — William J. Riley — The Judiciary". United States Congress. August 2, 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
3. "On the Nomination (Confirmation: William J. Riley, of Nebraska, to be U.S. District Judge)". Washington, D.C.: United States Senate. August 2, 2001.
4. "Baltti v. Sessions, No. 16-1037" (PDF). December 19, 2017.
5. "Hon. William Jay Riley". Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.

External links

• William J. Riley at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by C. Arlen Beam	Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2001–2017	Succeeded by L. Steven Grasz
Preceded by James B. Loken	Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 2010–2017	Succeeded by Lavenski Smith