Riley Steele
Image of Riley Steele

Riley Steele

Associate

Email

riley.steele@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 202 683 3875

Offices

Washington DC

V-CARD
Riley has experience representing clients in a wide variety of matters and postures.

In a few short years, Riley has represented clients involved in copyright claims, breach of contract disputes, and tort matters, as well as investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the House of Representatives, and a derivatives marketplace offering futures and options products. Riley has assisted also clients as they confront compliance issues and other challenges in an everchanging regulatory landscape.

Riley takes great pride in his public service background. Prior to attending law school, Riley was a paralegal at the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice. He has also served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Lydia K. Griggsby on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Obtained dismissal of copyright clam and litigated breach of contract action against software licensee based on use allegedly beyond scope of parties’ agreement
  • Represented global leader in technology services space throughout course of multiple levels of appellate review.
  • Investigation of whether foreign telecommunications client with U.S. subsidiary poses national security concerns.
  • Litigation involving dispute over tax refunds between spun-off entity and former parent company.
  • Assisted financial institution regarding compliance with orders issued by Department of Treasury governing prohibitions on transmission of funds with covered foreign entities.

Pro bono

  • Assisted a human rights organization on regulatory strategy related to discrimination against transgender community.
  • Monitored updates to law and policy impacting the transgender community across the country in support of equal rights organization’s policy resource hub.
  • Advised myriad clients in relation to immigration proceedings.
  • Secured asylum victory for client fearing persecution and discrimination in Eastern European country on the basis of his sexual identity and orientation.
  • Represented military veterans in pursuit of upgrades in discharge characterizations to improve access to benefits.

Qualifications

Admissions

Washington, D.C., 2023

District of Maryland, 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2025

Courts

District of Maryland, 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2025

Academic

BA, Political Science, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 2016

BA, Communication & Public Service, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 2016

JD, magna cum laude, American University Washington College of Law, 2023

Order of the Coif

Recipient of Two Highest Grade Designations

Staffer, American University Law Review

Languages

English, Spanish
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.