Jacob James Van Riper (March 8, 1838 – December 4, 1912) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the Attorney General of the State of Michigan from 1881 to 1885. He later served as a probate judge in Berrien County, Michigan from 1893 to 1901. He also served on the University of Michigan Board of Regents from 1880 to 1886.[1][2]