William F. Riley

Who was William F. Riley?

William F. Riley was a United States federal judge for Iowa's southern district during the 1950s.

Riley earned an A.B. from State University 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. 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.