Richard W. Riley

Partner

Poinsett Plaza
104 South Main Street
Suite 900
Greenville, SC 29601

T 864.373.2290
F 864.373.2388

101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001

T 202.689.2811
F 202.689.2841

Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201

T 803.799.2000
F 803.256.7500

dick.riley@nelsonmullins.com

Richard W. Riley is a senior partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and EducationCounsel LLC. A former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993-2001) and a former Governor of South Carolina (1979-87), Dick Riley, with full support of the Firm, remains an ambassador for improving education in the state, nation, and abroad.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Experience

Counsels clients on business, governance, financial matters, government processes and education law, policy, strategy and advocacy
Works with partners to develop strategy in complex business, legal and education matters

Previous Professional Experience

As U.S. Secretary of Education, helped launch initiatives to raise academic standards; improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged; increase parental involvement in education; expand grants and loans to help more students attend college; and prepare young people in America for the world of work
As Governor of South Carolina, initiated the Education Improvement Act, the Employment Revitalization Act, the S.C. Research Authority, regional nuclear waste compacts, merit selection of public service commissioners, greater openness in government, and a constitutional amendment creating a state reserve fund
As S.C. State Legislator, advocated for Home Rule for local governments, judicial reform, legislative transparency, revision of the State Constitution, and modernization of state government

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1959)
Furman University, BA, Political Science, cum laude (1954)

Admissions

South Carolina

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Articles & Speeches

Visit Idea Exchange

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney’s inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Inducted into South Carolina Hall of Fame
Named by TIME Magazine among Top Ten Best Cabinet Members in USA history
Recipient of national and local awards from education and public service organizations
Recipient of honorary degrees from higher education institutions in the United States and abroad
College of Education at Winthrop University and College of Education and Leadership, Walden University, bear his name

Professional Activities

South Carolina Bar
American Bar Association
Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina
Advisory Board Chair of Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership at Furman University
ABA Commissions on Rule of Law and Civics in our Nation's Schools

Overview

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Experience

Counsels clients on business, governance, financial matters, government processes and education law, policy, strategy and advocacy
Works with partners to develop strategy in complex business, legal and education matters

Previous Professional Experience

As U.S. Secretary of Education, helped launch initiatives to raise academic standards; improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged; increase parental involvement in education; expand grants and loans to help more students attend college; and prepare young people in America for the world of work
As Governor of South Carolina, initiated the Education Improvement Act, the Employment Revitalization Act, the S.C. Research Authority, regional nuclear waste compacts, merit selection of public service commissioners, greater openness in government, and a constitutional amendment creating a state reserve fund
As S.C. State Legislator, advocated for Home Rule for local governments, judicial reform, legislative transparency, revision of the State Constitution, and modernization of state government

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1959)
Furman University, BA, Political Science, cum laude (1954)

Admissions

South Carolina

Practice Areas

EducationCounsel LLC

Industries

Education

Articles & Speeches

Visit Idea Exchange

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Inducted into South Carolina Hall of Fame
Named by TIME Magazine among Top Ten Best Cabinet Members in USA history
Recipient of national and local awards from education and public service organizations
Recipient of honorary degrees from higher education institutions in the United States and abroad
College of Education at Winthrop University and College of Education and Leadership, Walden University, bear his name

Professional Activities

South Carolina Bar
American Bar Association
Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina
Advisory Board Chair of Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership at Furman University
ABA Commissions on Rule of Law and Civics in our Nation's Schools