---
title: "William Jay Riley | KnowJudges"
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---

# William Jay Riley

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2001-present
- Adjunct professor, Creighton University College of Law, 1991-present
- William Jay Riley (March 11, 1947 – January 27, 2023) was an American federal judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from 2001 until his death
- Chief Judge: held the role of Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit from March 31, 2010, to March 11, 2017
- 2001–2017: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, appointed by President George W. Bush on May 23, 2001, to replace C. Arlen Beam
- Law clerk, Hon. Donald Lay, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1972-1973
- After law school, he held the role of a law clerk to Eighth Circuit Judge Donald P. Lay (1972–1973) and then practiced law in Nebraska until his judicial appointment.

### Education

- University of Nebraska College of Law in — J.D. (1972)
- University of Nebraska in — B.A. (1969)
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law

### Additional information

- Service End: January 27, 2023, due to death.
- Riley died on January 27, 2023, at age 75.
- Senior Status: Assumed senior status on June 30, 2017, and inactive senior status on August 31, 2017.
- Confirmation: The U.S. Senate confirmed him 97–0 on August 2, 2001.
- Private practice, Nebraska, 1973-2001
- Riley was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on March 11, 1947, to Donald and Marian Riley.
- Date of birth: 1947-01-01
- He was remembered for his dedication to due process, judicial leadership, and his long-standing service to the Eighth Circuit.
- Birth place: Lincoln, NE

## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2723/william-jay-riley/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2723/william-jay-riley/)
- [Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2723/william-jay-riley/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2723/william-jay-riley/)
- [Riley, William Jay](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/riley-william-jay)
- [Wikidata: William J. Riley](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8013320)

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