John Raley was born and raised in Oklahoma. He played football for the Oklahoma Sooners under Coach Barry Switzer, and he obtained his law degree from OU. He graduated with an LL.M. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. John is a civil trial lawyer and mediator in Houston. John's clients have included Fortune 500 companies, inventors, doctors, hospitals, teachers, television and film stars, and Maya Angelou. John has performed on stage with several Houston theatre companies. In 2023 his Houston stage credits included August Osage County (Beverly) and Witness for the Prosecution (Sir Wilfrid Robarts). Married since 1984, John is the father of three and he is a grandfather.