title: Leo F. Rayfiel
text: # Leo F. Rayfiel
  
  Leo Frederick Rayfiel (March 22, 1888 – November 18, 1978) was a United States representative from New York and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
  
  ## Education and career
  
  Born in New York City, New York, Rayfiel received a Bachelor of Laws from New York University School of Law in 1908. He read law in 1918. He was in private practice of law in Brooklyn, New York from 1918 to 1945. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1939 to 1944. He was a United States representative from New York from 1945 to 1947.
  
  ## Congressional service
  
  Rayfiel was elected as a Democrat to the 79th United States Congress, reelected to the 80th United States Congress and served from January 3, 1945, until his resignation on September 13, 1947, to accept a federal judgeship.
  
  ## Federal judicial service
  
  Rayfiel was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on June 30, 1947, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York vacated by Judge Grover M. Moscowitz. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 1947, and received his commission on July 30, 1947. He assumed senior status on March 4, 1966. His service was terminated on November 18, 1978, due to his death in Wayne, New Jersey. He was interred in Wellwood Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.
  
  ## Family
  
  Screenwriter David Rayfiel (1923–2011) was his son.
  
  