David B. Rivkin, Jr.

David B. Rivkin, Jr. of Falls Church, VA, died on December 27, 2024, at age 68, after a prolonged illness. He was a graduate of Georgetown University (B.S.F.S., 1980, M.A., 1984) and Columbia Law School (J.D., 1985)

Mr. Rivkin had an early career in government service, with positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Energy, as well as with the White House and the Office of the Vice President. In private practice, Mr. Rivkin represented clients in high-profile cases on constitutional and environmental issues at all levels of federal and state courts. He was also a prolific writer of opinion pieces, with frequent columns on the pages of the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, and an on-air commentator, including appearances on The Journal Editorial Report, CNN, Fox News, and PBS.

Upon learning of his passing, President-elect Donald Trump posted that Mr. Rivkin was a “Superstar Attorney,” a “great lawyer,” and a “scholar.”

Mr. Rivkin is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diana McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brother Andrey (Iana) and nephew Yevgeni. Mr. Rivkin was predeceased by his parents Boris and Svetlana.

The family will receive friends at the DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Valet service will be provided. A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Rivkin will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 10:30am, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007.

The family will have a private interment at a later date.

With a life-long soft-spot in his heart for animals, his wish was that in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Humane Society of Hardy County, WV, www.hshc-wv.org, or the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, 703-931-9241, www.awla.org/donate/donate-online