Judge Wise mentored me through law school and my first five years as an attorney. He said: a good ruling is one you can explain to the person it goes against. I think about that every day.
1 month ago
Raymond Arthur Wise
August 28, 1943 – May 1, 2026 · 82 years
"He said what he meant and meant every word."
Biography
Raymond Arthur Wise was a retired judge of the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who served for 22 years on the bench. Known for his clear-eyed rulings and his patience with young attorneys, Judge Wise was regarded by colleagues as a model of judicial integrity. In retirement, he taught constitutional law at Temple University and mentored law students from underprivileged backgrounds. Raymond is survived by his wife Edith, son Marcus, and a legal legacy that will outlast most.
Messages & Tributes (6)
+ Write a MessageRaymond Wise had one of the finest legal minds of his generation and chose to use it in service of the courts rather than the highest bidder. The law was lucky to have him.
1 month ago
Raymond was the most fair-minded person I ever met. In the courtroom, at the dinner table — he applied the same standard to everything and everyone. It was something to live alongside.
1 month ago
My grandfather the judge. He would have hated that sentence. He'd say: I was a man first. The rest was just a job title. He was right, of course.
1 month ago
He volunteered with our student legal clinic every Thursday for eight years after retirement. He didn't need to. He wanted to.
1 month ago
Dad never talked about his cases but he talked about justice constantly. At dinner, on walks, in the car. I thought every family was like that. They weren't.
1 month ago