Raymond J. Dearie

Raymond J. Dearie
Name	Raymond J. Dearie
Birth date	1944
Birth place	Brooklyn
Alma mater	St. John's University (New York City), St. John's University School of Law
Occupation	Judge
Offices	United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Raymond J. Dearie is a senior United States district judge who served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and as a former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. He presided over high‑profile matters involving figures from Wall Street, New York City politics, and federal law enforcement, and later served as a court‑appointed special master in litigation touching on national figures and institutions. His career intersects with major institutions such as the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Early life and education

Dearie was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, attending St. Francis Preparatory School before matriculating at St. John's University (New York City), where he received an undergraduate degree and later a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law. During his formative years he was active in local Brooklyn Democratic Party circles and connected with civic institutions including the Kings County legal community and neighborhood bar associations. His education overlapped with contemporaries who later served in roles at New York State Assembly, New York State Senate, and municipal legal offices such as the New York City Law Department.

Legal career and federal judgeship

Dearie began his career in private practice and as an assistant in the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, later appointed United States Attorney for that district. He prosecuted matters involving defendants linked to Organized Crime, white-collar crime in Wall Street cases, and public corruption in New York City. Nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, he was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, where he served alongside colleagues who moved to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to posts within the United States Department of Justice. As a district judge he handled civil and criminal dockets drawing litigants from institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, New York City Transit Authority, and federal agencies like the Federal Reserve.

Notable cases and rulings

Throughout his tenure Dearie presided over notable prosecutions and civil disputes involving figures from Wall Street, labor unions, and public officials from Albany. He handled cases connected to investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service. His docket featured matters related to RICO, securities litigation tied to firms such as Merrill Lynch and Bear Stearns, and public corruption matters involving defendants associated with the New York City Council and state executive offices. He issued significant criminal sentences and civil rulings that were reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and occasionally drew attention from the United States Supreme Court in petitions for certiorari. Cases on his calendar intersected with parties from Columbia University, City University of New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and private litigants tied to multinational corporations like Citigroup.

Special master and appointed roles

In retirement and senior status Dearie accepted appointments as a special master and neutral expert in high‑stakes disputes involving national actors. He was appointed to oversee discovery and document review in matters implicating the Federal Bureau of Investigation and executives linked to Mar-a-Lago, working with counsel for parties connected to United States v. Trump litigation and inquiries involving the Office of the Special Counsel. His special master work required coordination with law firms and institutions such as Jones Day, WilmerHale, and public interest groups, and he issued reports and recommendations that were considered by district judges and appellate panels. He also served on panels and committees engaging with the American Bar Association and legal education programs at institutions like Fordham University School of Law.

Judicial philosophy and controversies

Dearie's decisions reflect a pragmatic approach rooted in statutory interpretation and deference to precedent from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. His handling of politically sensitive matters drew commentary from media outlets covering New York politics, and he faced scrutiny over procedural rulings in discovery disputes involving high‑profile litigants. Critics and supporters cited his background as a former United States Attorney and his relationships within the Eastern District of New York legal community when evaluating his impartiality. Debates over his assignments touched on themes raised in discussions at the American Bar Association, testimony before congressional oversight committees such as those in the United States House of Representatives, and analysis in law reviews from schools like NYU School of Law and Columbia Law School.

Personal life and honors

Dearie has been recognized by bar associations and civic organizations, receiving awards from local chapters of the Federal Bar Council and honors from alumni organizations at St. John's University (New York City). He has family ties in Long Island and participates in community institutions including parish and civic groups in Brooklyn and Queens. His peers have lauded his contributions to the Eastern District of New York and his post‑retirement service as a trusted judicial officer in matters interfacing with national institutions such as the Department of Justice and academia at schools like St. John's University School of Law.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:United States district court judges appointed by Ronald Reagan Category:St. John's University (New York City) alumni