Rayes received a
Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, summa cum laude, in 1975 from
Arizona State University. He received a
Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1978 from the
Arizona State University College of Law. He served in the
Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, from 1979 to 1982. From 1982 to 1984, he was an associate at the law firm of McGroder, Pearlstein, Pepler & Tryon. From 1984 to 2000, he was a partner at that law firm which was named Tryon, Heller & Rayes at the time of his departure. From 2000 to 2014, he served as a Judge of the
Maricopa County Superior Court. During his tenure on the bench, he presided over a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal and family law matters.
Consideration for Arizona Supreme Court In August 2012, Rayes was one of three finalists recommended to Governor
Jan Brewer to fill a vacancy on the
Arizona Supreme Court. Brewer ultimately appointed
Ann Scott Timmer to the court.
Federal judicial service On September 19, 2013, President
Barack Obama nominated Rayes to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, to the seat vacated by Judge
Frederick J. Martone, who assumed
senior status on January 30, 2013. Rayes, a
Republican, On February 27, 2014 his nomination was reported out of the committee. On May 13, 2014, Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid filed for
cloture on his nomination. On May 15, 2014,
The Senate voted 59–35 to invoke
cloture on his nomination. Later that same day, the
Senate confirmed him by a 77–19 vote. Rayes received his judicial commission on May 28, 2014. He assumed
senior status on June 1, 2024. ==References==