John W. Riely (February 26, 1839 – August 20, 1900) was an American lawyer and judge.

Resuming his studies at Brownsville High School in Rockbridge County, he remained there for five months before entering Washington College in 1858.

[1] Before he could start the practice of law, the American Civil War broke out and he joined with other students to form a military company.

After the war, he was offered the position of assistant professor of Greek at Washington and Lee but chose, instead, to study law.

In 1871, he became Commonwealth’s Attorney for Halifax County and held that position until he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals in 1895.