Law, Richard, 1733-1806

Richard Law (March 7, 1733 – January 26, 1806) was an American lawyer, statesman and jurist. He served as delegate to the First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation. Law also served as Mayor of New London, Connecticut and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Born in Milford, Connecticut Colony, British America, Law pursued classical studies, graduated from Yale University in 1751 and read law in 1755. He was admitted to the bar in January 1755, and entered private practice in Milford from 1755 to 1757. Law continued private practice in New London, Connecticut Colony from 1757 to 1765. He was a Justice of the Peace for New London from 1765 to 1775 and was a member of the Connecticut General Assembly from 1765 to 1776.

Law was Chief Judge of the New London County Court from 1773 to 1784, was Clerk of the Connecticut General Assembly from 1774 to 1776, and was an assistant to the Connecticut General Assembly from 1776 to 1786. He was a member of the Connecticut Council of Safety in May 1776, a delegate, successively to the First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation in 1774, in 1776, in 1777, and from 1780 to 1783. Law was a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court in New London from 1784 to 1789, serving as Chief Judge from 1786 to 1789. He was the Mayor of New London, Connecticut from 1784 to 1806.

Law was nominated by President George Washington on September 24, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 73. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on January 26, 1806, due to his death in New London. He was interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.