A headshot of Charles Riley.

Charles W. Riley, Jr.

Partner
Seattle

Chuck Riley advises high net worth clients on estate and tax planning, philanthropic planning, business succession, and trust administration. His ability to build and maintain client relationships has earned him the distinction of being a market leader and serving as a trusted advisor to multiple generations of high net worth families.

As a Band One member of the Chambers High Net Worth top-ranked Private Client Services Team at the firm, Chuck is recognized in the area of private wealth law as "a leading figure in the market," "a go-to adviser for wealth transfers," and "a long-standing practitioner who is truly committed to this area of law as well as the wider industry." A Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Chuck has extensive experience with tax-sensitive estate planning and complex trust administration.

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

King County Bar Foundation, Trustee, 2016-2019

Estate Planning Council of Seattle

U.S. Law Firm Group, Trustee, 2008-2019; President, 2016-2017

Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Executive Committee, 2001-2004; Real Property, Probate and Trust Section Midyear Meeting, Co-Chair, 2005

Recognition & Accomplishments

Chambers High Net Worth, Private Wealth Law, Band One, 2016-2024

Best Lawyers, "Seattle Lawyer of the Year," Trust and Estates, 2013

The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2003-2025

Thomson Reuters, "Washington Super Lawyer," Estate Planning and Probate, 2006-2024

AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings

Board Memberships & Community Service

Downtown Seattle Association, Board of Directors, 2012-present; Governance Committee, 2017-2019; General Counsel, 2013-2017

Seattle Children's Foundation, Treasurer, 2024-present; Board of Trustees, 2016-present

Plymouth Housing, Treasurer, 2022-2023; Board of Trustees, 2020-present

Credentials 

Education

University of Missouri, (J.D.)
Missouri Law Review

University of Missouri, (B.S.)

Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan

Admissions

Washington

Missouri (Inactive)