William F. Riley
Encyclopedia
William F. Riley was a United States federal judge
for Iowa's
southern district during the 1950s.
Riley earned an A.B.
from State Universitiy of Iowa
in 1907, and a J.D. from University of Iowa College of Law
in 1909. He was in private practice in Des Moines, Iowa
from 1909 to 1942, except for his service during World War I as a Lieutenant in the Army's legal department. After serving from 1942 to 1945 as a special assistant U.S. attorney general and hearing officer for the Selective Service Bureau, then returned to his private practice with Carr, Cox, Evans, and Riley until 1950. During the latter period, he also served as president of the Iowa State Bar Association from 1949 to 1950, and was active in the leadership of the American Bar Association.
He was nominated by President Harry S Truman on November 29, 1950, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
vacated by Charles A. Dewey (which Carroll O. Switzer
occupied briefly as a recess appointee, without U.S. Senate confirmation). After Switzer's confirmation was rejected and President Truman then nominated Riley, that nomination was confirmed by the Senate on December 14, 1950, and he received his commission on December 27, 1950.
Early in 1956 he was sidelined with cardiac and pulmonary conditions that prevented his continued performance on the bench, but he continued to hold his position until his death on December 29, 1956.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
for Iowa's
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
southern district during the 1950s.
Riley earned an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from State Universitiy of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in 1907, and a J.D. from University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the eleven professional graduate schools at the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. The law school was ranked as the 27th best law school...
in 1909. He was in private practice in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
from 1909 to 1942, except for his service during World War I as a Lieutenant in the Army's legal department. After serving from 1942 to 1945 as a special assistant U.S. attorney general and hearing officer for the Selective Service Bureau, then returned to his private practice with Carr, Cox, Evans, and Riley until 1950. During the latter period, he also served as president of the Iowa State Bar Association from 1949 to 1950, and was active in the leadership of the American Bar Association.
He was nominated by President Harry S Truman on November 29, 1950, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa has jurisdiction over forty-seven of Iowa's ninety-nine counties. It is subject to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (in case citations, S.D. Iowa) has...
vacated by Charles A. Dewey (which Carroll O. Switzer
Carroll O. Switzer
Carroll O. Switzer was an unsuccessful candidate for Iowa's governorship who later served as a state court judge and as a United States federal judge....
occupied briefly as a recess appointee, without U.S. Senate confirmation). After Switzer's confirmation was rejected and President Truman then nominated Riley, that nomination was confirmed by the Senate on December 14, 1950, and he received his commission on December 27, 1950.
Early in 1956 he was sidelined with cardiac and pulmonary conditions that prevented his continued performance on the bench, but he continued to hold his position until his death on December 29, 1956.