He graduated from Ohio State in 1895 and taught in the Columbus Public Schools for seven years.

From 1904 to 1919 he studied and practiced intellectual property law in Columbus, Ohio.

He was an instructor and professor, before becoming the dean of the College of Law at Ohio State University.

Rightmire Hall, a science laboratory at Ohio State, is named in his honor.

Rightmire was the Ohio State University President from March 1, 1926 to July 1, 1938.