Title: Member
Mr. Rivas is a bilingual immigrant and proudly naturalized American citizen.
He has represented a wide range of corporate clients, including automakers,
airplane, off-road RV, and heavy construction equipment manufacturers,
insurance companies, innkeepers, and retailers. His work has resulted
in everything from voluntary dismissals to summary judgments to defense
jury verdicts. He has also managed teams of lawyers and staff in nationwide
discovery programs and in trial. Mr. Rivas’ recent practice has
focused on the technical defense of automakers faced with claims of defects
in SUVs, trucks, automobiles and commercial vehicles. He has a history
of being firm in discovery, assertive in hearings, and tough in negotiations.
His university-level training in science and accident reconstruction makes
for devastating expert cross-examinations. Mr. Rivas does not shy away
from the most arcane technical issues in cutting edge cases. His nationwide
reputation for being a second set of engineering eyes results from his
work with leading national, multi-firm teams handling recurrent product
allegations, class actions, and Multi-District Litigation (MDL).
Areas of Practice
Product Liability
Transportation Litigation
Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
Intellectual Property – Trademark
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1992
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth District
Education
Baylor University Law School 1992
Baylor University 1989
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas
San Antonio Bar Association
Society of Automotive Engineers
Languages
English
Spanish