Raymond Lederer attended several institutions, including Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Saint Joseph's College of Philadelphia, Community College of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania State University. He began his career as an assistant engineer for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways and later served as a probation officer, eventually becoming the director of the Philadelphia Probation Department. Lederer also held a position on the Board of the Pennsylvania Committee on Probation. These roles provided him with a robust foundation in public service and institutional management.

Raymond Lederer's political identity is shaped by a deeply rooted localism, evident in his long family legacy in Philadelphia politics. His legislative actions suggest a strategic alignment with diverse factions, often surprising given his ideological background. Lederer's rhetorical style is characterized by a nuanced framing of issues that balances regional economic interests with broader policy goals, creating a complex and intriguing political persona. His approach reveals an unexpected convergence of interests, hinting at a sophisticated, perhaps even contrarian, political strategy.