W. Edward Riley, IV


LinkedIn profile

W. Edward Riley, IV riley & wells lawyerEd Riley is a trial lawyer. He is admitted to practice law in both state and federal trial courts in Virginia, and has successfully argued before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Riley has dedicated his entire career to successfully representing criminal law and traffic law clients for three decades. Mr. Riley has argued over 250 jury trials in both federal and state courts across the Commonwealth, holds the highest national legal rating with Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized by his peers as one of the Legal Elite as published by Virginia Business Magazine, and has been consecutively selected for inclusion in the publications of Best Lawyers, Virginia Super Lawyers and Richmond Magazine for his superb legal ability and ethics. He is a regular criminal law commentator for media outlets in high profile criminal cases

Continue Reading

Mr. Riley routinely lectures on criminal law, DUI law, and traffic law to other lawyers and judges. His involvement within the legal community is extensive. Board member of the VTLA and a past Board Member of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers VACDL. Past Co-Chair of the Virginia Criminal Justice Commission (VCJC) and remains an active member. A Sustaining Member of the National College for DUI Defense.  Also a member of the Richmond Criminal Bar, the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (VACDL), the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Member of the Supreme Court of Virginia Chief Justice’s Indigent Defense Training Commission and the Virginia State Bar Indigent Defense Task Force. Past Chairman of the Virginia Fair Trial Project (VFTP). Past co-chair of the VTLA’s publication committee and member of the CLE committee and Amicus Committee. Past committee member of the VTLA’s Legislative Committee and Litigation Support Committee and Death Penalty Committee.  Member of the Young Lawyers Leadership Committee from 1997-2001. Past Legislative liaison between the VACDL and the NACDL.

He has appeared as a legal expert for News Channel 6 in Richmond on numerous occasions over the years and has spoken through out the Richmond area to groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and School classes from elementary school through college on drinking and driving and the workings of the Court system.

Mr. Riley is also very active with the Special Olympics of Virginia, which has included being a Committee Chairperson for the New Years Eve Gala and a Committee Member of the Golf Event and assisted in the State Summer Games. He is also on the planning committee for Oystoberfest, which supports St. Thomas Church and non-profit organizations such as Connor’s Hero’s.  Mr. Riley is also an active member of The Men’s Corp for St. Thomas Church in Richmond. He is also a former President of the Kanawha Kiwanis Club, a Community Service Organization.

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Driving While Intoxicated
  • Reckless Driving
  • Traffic Violations
  • Personal Injury

Education

  • University of Richmond, J.D., 1991
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 1987

Admitted

  • Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia

Member

  • Virginia State Bar
  • National College for DUI Defense (Sustaining Member)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
  • Richmond Criminal Bar Association
  • Virginia Criminal Justice Conference

Publications

  • Defending Criminal Cases in Virginia 2026 Edition, Co-Author
  • VIRGINIA GUN LAW:Armed And Educated published by U.S. Law Shield (2017)
  • Defending the Practicalities of DUI in Virginia, The Journal for the Virginia Trial Lawyer, Vol. 22, No. 3, 2010.
  • How to Defend the DUI Case, The Journal for the Virginia Trial Lawyer, 2008.

Speaking Engagements and Professional Presentations

Ed Riley has presented at legal seminars, professional development conferences, and criminal and traffic law programs across Virginia and beyond. Topics have included DUI defense, trial strategy, expert witnesses, scientific evidence, serious traffic offenses, and criminal law updates.

Trial Practice and Courtroom Strategy
  • Speaker, The 21st Century Trial (2022)
  • Speaker, A Trial from Voir Dire through Jury Instructions (2016)
  • Speaker, Virginia Public Defenders Annual Convention and the Public Defenders Introduction to Practice
  • Speaker, 4th Annual Indigent Criminal Defense: Advanced Skills for the Experienced Practitioner
  • Speaker, How to Prepare Your Lawyer for a Criminal/Traffic Trial – VTLA Paralegal Seminar (2010)
DUI and Serious Traffic Defense Presentations
  • Speaker, Strategies for Handling DUI Cases in Virginia (2004, 2013)
  • Speaker, I Feel the Need for Speed! Practice in Traffic Court, Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (November 2008)
  • Speaker, The Art of Persuasion: Painting Powerful Images in DUI Cases
  • Speaker, How to Defend the DUI, 4th Annual Public Defender Seminar (April 2008)
  • Speaker, Louisa County Bar Association DUI and Serious Traffic Law Update (2007)
  • Speaker, DUI and Other Serious Traffic Defenses: Recent Updates and Defenses – VTLA Annual Criminal Law Seminar (September 2006)
  • Speaker, DUI & Traffic Law Update: The Nuts and Bolts (2005)
  • Speaker, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (VACDL) Annual Convention DUI Panel (2004)
  • Speaker, A Traffic Law Update – VTLA Annual Criminal Law Seminar (September 2004)
  • Speaker, Richmond Criminal Bar DUI Update (2004)
  • Speaker, Experts on DUI: What Works and What Doesn’t Work – VACDL Spring Meeting and Seminar (May 2004)
Criminal Law Updates and Specialized Topics
  • Speaker, VTLA Criminal Law Update (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012)
  • Speaker, VTLA Expert Witnesses in a Criminal or Traffic Case (2015)
  • Speaker, VTLA How to Defend Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography (2012)
  • Speaker, Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography – VTLA Annual Criminal Law Seminar (2012)
  • Speaker, The Mastering of Scientific Evidence Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia (2000)
Virginia State Bar and Professional Development Programs
  • Speaker, Virginia State Bar First Day in Practice Seminar (2014, 2015)
  • Speaker, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Conference 13th Annual Professional Development Conference (2014)
  • Speaker, Solo and Small Firm Seminar (2004, 2005, 2006)
  • Speaker, VTLA Paralegal Seminar (2010)

Leadership and Media Appearances

Ed Riley has served in leadership roles, presented at legal conferences, participated in professional panels, and commented publicly on criminal justice issues in Virginia. The items below highlight selected conference involvement, bar activities, media commentary, and public service contributions.

Conference Leadership and Professional Service
Panels and Speaking Engagements
  • Richmond Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference Panelist, Criminal Practice: The 21st Century Trial (October 21, 2022)
Media Commentary and Legal Analysis
Trial Results and Notable Mentions
  • Hanover Jury Finds Teacher Not Guilty of Indecent Liberties – Defense Attorney Ed Riley interviewed by NBC 12 after securing jury trial acquittal (December 2010)

Awards & Recognitions

Click any year range below to view awards, ratings, and recognitions.

2024-
2023-2021
2020-2017
2016-2015
2014-2011
2010-2003

Client Reviews

Helen Bower
4 weeks ago
We were referred to Riley & Wells to assist with a minor traffic accident involving our teenage driver. From beginning to end the experience exceeded my expectations. The communication, education, and guidance provided prior to the court date made a stressful situation feel easy and resulted in a better than expected outcome. I would highly recommend Mr. Riley!
Kerrie Bogaz
4 weeks ago
Cannot recommend Mr. Riley enough. He assisted me through an extremely stressful traffic situation with having my charges dismissed/reduced. Lisa was extemely responsive and stayed in consistent communication. Well worth the fees for solid peace of mind.
Amer Karic
3 months ago
Mr. Riley- did a fantastic job on my case. I was wrongfully accused of DUI- Mr. Ed Riley - got it reduced to reckless ticket- before the judge and I accepted. Thank you for all the hard work. Very professional and organized!

Let us review your case today. We can help!
11/10/2015 | Updated 3/27/2026