Joseph Rivera Email & Phone Number

United States

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Supervise team of associates and senior counsel with following responsibilities: Litigate complex commercial products liability actions in federal and state courts throughout the United States and Canada on behalf of foreign manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including various Fortune 500 companies. Develop litigation strategy with and manage local counsel. Research and draft appropriate legal memoranda, pleadings and dispositive motions such as motions to dismiss and summary judgment, etc. Prepare discovery demands and responses including interrogatories, requests for production, notices to admit, etc. Coordinate claim investigations by researching, identifying, retaining and working with appropriate experts including pediatric burn specialists, biomechanical engineers, fire cause and origin experts, electrical engineers, metallurgists, etc. Investigate and evaluate tender of claims and insurance coverage on behalf of carriers. Draft mediation statements and negotiate settlements. Prepare resultant general releases, agreements and minor’s compromises. Report monthly to clients regarding case updates, legal analysis and resolution strategy.

San Francisco, Ca, Us

San Francisco, Ca, Us

New York, Ny, Us

Teach trial advocacy and evidence law to student members of the Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Team in preparation for mock trial competitions against other law schools

New York, Ny, Us

Represented the NYC DOE at administrative hearings concerning alleged violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by: investigating claims, interviewing/preparing NYC DOE professionals and clinicians for hearing, conducting openings, direct/cross examinations and closings. Negotiated settlements. Researched and drafted memoranda on nuanced areas of special education law affecting DOE policy. Managed caseload in upwards of 300 cases.

Bronx, New York, Us

Prosecuted major felony cases including homicides, attempted murders, burglaries and robberies from inception through trial, including pre-arrest investigation, authorization of criminal charges, grand jury presentation, subpoena practice, discovery practice, pre-trial motion practice, plea negotiation, pre-trial preparation, trial practice, post-trial motion/hearing practice, and sentencing. Prepared/examined expert witnesses in firearm analysis, forensic pathology, narcotics, etc. Personally selected to be member of the following specialty units: Bias Unit, Gun Unit, Beeper Unit (descriptions available upon request)Bureaus:7/16 to 1/17 - Trial Bureau 4011/15 to 7/16 - Trial Bureau A349/14 to 11/15 - Intake/Grand Jury Bureau10/12 to 9/14 - Criminal Court Bureau

Researched legal issues pertaining to potential extension of defense counsel’s 6th Amendment obligation under Padilla v. Kentucky to involuntary civil confinement under the Adam Walsh Act as well as the trial court in preparation for oral arguments before the Second Circuit. Advised bank fraud defendant on federal sentencing guidelines, case strategy options and potential consequences. Conducted factual investigations via discovery review, phone conferences with federal prosecutors and witness/client interviews. Counseled federal witness throughout pre-trial conferences with federal prosecutors and in-court testimony. Attended corresponding courtroom conferences.

Researched and drafted memoranda on various legal issues including use of statistical sampling as evidence, confidentiality rules for Circuit Courts, and federal privacy protection for disclosure of employee personnel files. Drafted appellate brief arguing when the Statute of Limitations, under NY case law, accrues thereby barring a claim of disparate treatment. Observed courtroom proceedings including oral arguments at the Appellate Division, 1st & 2nd Departments.

Conducted plea negotiations. Appeared in court for Domestic Violence/Misdemeanor Units. Interviewed victims and witnesses. Researched and drafted memoranda on various legal issues including spoliation of evidence, use of highly prejudicial evidence during opening statements, pre-trial disclosure of identifying witness information and suspicious elderly/infirm death review panels. Prepared discovery. Assisted the Fraud Unit by drafting a response to a Motion to Compel Discovery.

Assisted in drafting answer to novel discrimination complaint. Researched legal issues including directed verdicts in front of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Burlington standard for reprisal-based discrimination claims. Drafted research memoranda recommending agency course of action in discrimination case. Prepared customs merchandise seizure memoranda advising agency on penalty for importation of counterfeit merchandise. Created investigative file summaries for arbitration. Observed pre-trial witness preparation and settlement discussions in employment discrimination case.

Attended conferences in chambers and courtroom proceedings. Prepared draft review and recommendation orders on default judgments. Researched relevant legal issues including reasonable attorneys’ fees, compensatory and enhanced damages. Reviewed orders concerning damage awards and suppression motions.

Manchester, Nh, Us

Managed recruitment efforts in NY, NJ, MA, and CT; extensively traveled for 10-14 weeks per year and organized various campus events. Coordinated technology related recruitment efforts for the Undergraduate Day Admission Office using virtual college fairs, online chats, and blogs. Assisted with articulating university-wide diversity initiative through the Diversity Task Force. Represented university in state-wide higher education access initiative through the New Hampshire College University Council Access Initiative.

Lowell, Ma, Us

Taught inner city youth to use the performing arts as an outlet. Choreographed performance routines for live shows. Managed quarterly budget to fund costumes and other performance related expenses.

Drafted subpoena and records release forms for family law attorney. Conducted research on relevant family law issues. Assisted solo practitioner in creating internal filing system.

Medford, Massachusetts, Us

Organized diversity outreach overnight preview program. Interviewed prospective students. Wrote for admission publications.

J.D.

B.A., International Relations & Philosophy

Education record