Richard B. Raile

Partner

Washington, D.C.
T +1.202.861.1711
F +1.202.861.1783

Overview

Richard Raile is a member of the litigation team and focuses his practice on appeals and major motions. He frequently plays the principal role in drafting briefs for clients and in delivering oral argument, including on dispositive motions, bench trials and appeals. He has represented parties and amici curiae at every level of the judiciary, from trial courts to merits litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court and state supreme courts.

His litigation experience runs the gamut of subject matters, including everything from commercial, civil rights, constitutional, campaign finance, voting rights, labor and bankruptcy law.

Select Experience

  • Argued in the Fourth Circuit for the City of Virginia Beach in a Voting Rights Act challenge to the City’s election system and obtained vacatur of an adverse trial-court ruling.
  • Represented the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission in constitutional challenge to Michigan’s congressional redistricting plan, obtaining dismissal of one cause of action and a denial of a preliminary injunction on the second, after delivering oral argument to a three-judge district court convened to hear the suit. On direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, obtained a summary disposition in the Commission's favor.
  • Represented the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission in two expedited challenges in the Michigan Supreme Court, one under the Voting Rights Act and the other under the state constitution. Led the briefing effort in both matters and obtained complete victories on the merits.
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Experience

  • Argued in the Fourth Circuit for the City of Virginia Beach in a Voting Rights Act challenge to the City’s election system and obtained vacatur of an adverse trial-court ruling.
  • Represented the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission in constitutional challenge to Michigan’s congressional redistricting plan, obtaining dismissal of one cause of action and a denial of a preliminary injunction on the second, after delivering oral argument to a three-judge district court convened to hear the suit. On direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, obtained a summary disposition in the Commission's favor.
  • Represented the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission in two expedited challenges in the Michigan Supreme Court, one under the Voting Rights Act and the other under the state constitution. Led the briefing effort in both matters and obtained complete victories on the merits.
  • Represented members of Congress in defending challenge to Ohio’s congressional redistricting plan under the federal Constitution. After a three-judge trial court issued an adverse injunction against the plan, led the emergency stay briefing effort in the U.S. Supreme Court and ultimately obtained a unanimous stay and summary vacatur of the adverse injunction, resulting in a complete victory.
  • Represented Virginia House of Delegates in redistricting litigation under the state’s constitution, winning a complete victory both at trial and on appeal. Delivered oral argument before the Virginia Supreme Court and authored merits and petition-stage briefing. 
  • Represented Virginia legislative agency in Virginia Supreme Court on appeal regarding issues of first impression under the Virginia Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause and played principal role in drafting opening and reply briefs. The Virginia Supreme Court unanimously adopted the position stated in those briefs and vacated the lower court’s decision holding the legislative agency in contempt of court.
  • Successfully represented winning candidate in state legislative election in federal-court litigation attempting to block or vacate certification of the election results. Briefed, argued and won in temporary-restraining order proceedings litigated to a conclusion within 24 hours of the case filing. Assisted in briefing subsequent emergency motions in the court of appeals, which resulted in a complete victory for the client.
  • Represented the Virginia House of Delegates in redistricting litigation in a case that reached trial, Supreme Court review, a second trial on remand and a second review in the Supreme Court. Played the principal role in drafting trial briefing and jurisdictional briefing before the Supreme Court and obtained plenary review of an adverse decision after the second trial.
  • Assisted in the formulation and drafting of a successful petition for certiorari before the United States Supreme Court on the validity of cy pres class-action settlements.
  • Assisted in the formulation and drafting of multiple amicus briefs and certiorari petitions in the Supreme Court on behalf of various parties, including in cases involving the scrutiny of racial classification under the Fourteenth Amendment, bankruptcy standing, class action settlements, the Appointments Clause, voting rights, and Section 1983 litigation and immunity defenses.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Virginia Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association

Pro Bono

  • Defending client against claims of defamation resulting from her speaking out against sexual harassment in a professional environment, including in leading briefing effort that resulted in favorable summary judgment ruling. Led briefing effort on appeal in matter that is awaiting a ruling.
  • Performed work on landlord/tenant matters in conjunction with the District of Columbia Bar Association Pro Bono Project.

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • District of Columbia, 2013
  • Virginia, 2012

Education

  • J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2012, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Dean's List
  • B.A., St. John’s University, 2007, English Literature, magna cum laude, All College Honors, Departmental Distinction, Dean's List