Leo Frederick Rayfiel (March 22, 1888 – November 18, 1978) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as a United States representative from New York for one term from 1945 to 1946. He served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 1947 to 1978.

Leo F. Rayfiel
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
In office
March 4, 1966 – November 18, 1978
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
In office
July 30, 1947 – March 4, 1966
Appointed byHarry S. Truman
Preceded byGrover M. Moscowitz
Succeeded byJack B. Weinstein
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 14th district
In office
January 3, 1945 – September 13, 1947
Preceded byArthur G. Klein
Succeeded byAbraham J. Multer
Personal details
Born
Leo Frederick Rayfiel

(1888-03-22)March 22, 1888
New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 18, 1978(1978-11-18) (aged 90)
Wayne, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting placeWellwood Cemetery
West Babylon, New York
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenDavid Rayfiel
EducationNew York University (LLB)
read law

Education and career

edit

Born in New York City, New York, Rayfiel received a Bachelor of Laws from New York University School of Law in 1908. He read law in 1918. He was in private practice of law in Brooklyn, New York from 1918 to 1945. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1939 to 1944. He was a United States representative from New York from 1945 to 1947.[1]

Congressional service

edit

Rayfiel was elected as a Democrat to the 79th United States Congress, reelected to the 80th United States Congress and served from January 3, 1945, until his resignation on September 13, 1947, to accept a federal judgeship.[2]

Federal judicial service

edit

Rayfiel was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on June 30, 1947, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York vacated by Judge Grover M. Moscowitz. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 1947, and received his commission on July 30, 1947. He assumed senior status on March 4, 1966.

Death

edit

His service ended on November 18, 1978, due to his death in Wayne, New Jersey.[1] He was interred in Wellwood Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.[2]

Family

edit

Screenwriter David Rayfiel (1923–2011) was his son.[3]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Rayfiel, Leo Frederick - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
  2. ^ a b United States Congress. "Leo F. Rayfiel (id: R000083)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  3. ^ William Grimes (June 23, 2011). "David Rayfiel, Screenwriter With Sydney Pollack, Dies at 87". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-06-23.

Sources

edit
edit
New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly Kings County, 2nd District
1939–1944
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 14th congressional district

1945–1947
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
1947–1966
Succeeded by