Overview
A passionate, hard-working, and experienced trial lawyer, Raquel R. Rivera tried homicide, gun, narcotics, robbery, and stalking offenses to verdict as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. As part of the Gangs and Narcotics Unit, she also counselled law enforcement and developed strategy for handling non-fatal shooting and narcotics investigations. Raquel is leveraging her trial experience at Porzio as part of the Litigation Group to defend largescale entities in products and premises liability matters and represent white collar and employment defense clients in complex litigation. She is a poised and effective communicator and problem solver, who is Spanish-speaking and successfully advocates for a diverse clientele with cultural competence.
Raquel is a dedicated community leader and advocate. As an active member of the Hispanic National Bar Association's LGBT section, she champions LGBTQ+ representation in the legal profession. Raquel's commitment to leadership is evident in her participation in prestigious programs like the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Latina Executive Leadership Program and Lead New Jersey. As a Lead New Jersey Fellow, she actively engages with professionals from various sectors to identify and address critical issues facing the state, contributing to a brighter future for New Jersey. She also plays a key role in upholding attorney ethics as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court's District Ethics Committee for District XB.
Recognition
- New Jersey Rising Stars® (2021-2025)
Memberships
- Women's White Collar Defense Association - Member
- Associatio0n of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member
- Hispanic National Bar Association of New Jersey - Member
- Hispanic National Bar Association - Member
- Lead New Jersey - Member
- Supreme Court of New Jersey - District Ethics Committee for District XB
News
- 19 Porzio Attorneys Named to 2025 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists, 3/20/2025
- Raquel R. Rivera Appointed to New Jersey Supreme Court's District XB Ethics Committee, 8/30/2024
- 18 Porzio Attorneys Named to 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists, 3/25/2024
- Raquel R. Rivera Selected to Lead New Jersey's 2024 Fellowship Class, 2/20/2024
- Raquel R. Rivera Selected For Exclusive Latina Executive Leadership Program, 9/12/2023
- Porzio Promotes Noah C. Goldstein, Caitlin M. Nolan, Raquel R. Rivera and Sara R. Simon to Counsel , 7/01/2023
- Twenty Porzio Attorneys Recognized in 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists, 5/11/2023
- Three Porzio Attorneys Serve as the Coordinators for Morris County's High School Mock Trial Competition, 2/28/2023
- 22 Porzio Attorneys Selected for Inclusion on 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers List, 4/06/2022
- Three Porzio Attorneys Served as Morris County Co-Coordinators for Vincent J. Appruzzese Mock Trial Competition, 4/27/2021
- Porzio Welcomes Raquel Rivera to the Firm, 6/01/2020
Events
Speaking Engagements
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"Language, Advocacy & Visibility: Lawyering in the Latine LGBTQ+ Community," The LGBTQ+ Bar, Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair, 8/09/2024
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"Practical Steps for Improving Your Organization's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Initiatives," Porzio's Seventh Annual Ethics & Eggs CLE Seminar, 12/07/2023
Media Mentions
- "Morris County Chamber of Commerce Names 2025 Rising Stars," My Paper Online, 6/01/2025
- "Men who zip-tied N.J. employees, stole $563K sentenced to prison," NJ.com, 12/17/2024
Prior Relevant Experience
- Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Jersey City, New Jersey, Assistant Prosecutor, September 2015 - May 2020
- Honorable Adam E. Jacobs, J.S.C., Hudson County Superior Court, Jersey City, New Jersey, Law Clerk, August 2012 - August 2013
- Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Hackensack, New Jersey, Appellate and Law Section Intern, May 2011 – April 2012
- Honorable Jose L. Linares, United States District Court, D.N.J., Newark, New Jersey, Summer Extern, May 2010 – August 2010
- American Conference On Diversity, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Facilitator/Camp Advisor, June 2005 – June 2011