Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Rivera.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a first generation American and high school graduate. I am a native Houstonian. I attended Stephen F. Austin State University (“SFA”) where I graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in political science, which earned me membership into Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. While at SFA, I was a member of Chi Omega, the Pre-Law Society, and Driving Jacks, a safe-ride program designated to provide a safe and confidential ride home to intoxicated college students and/or students who are otherwise incapable of getting home safely. I ultimately served as the Vice President of Chi Omega and the Recruitment Director of Driving Jacks.
After obtaining my bachelor’s, I started law school and graduated with honors from the University of Houston Law Center (number 27 out of 226 from my law school class) earning membership in the Order of the Barons (Order of the Barons is a scholastic honor society. Membership is offered to students in the top 15% of their entering class). While in law school, I interned for two litigation firms and for the legal department of a Fortune 100 company. I also served as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable David Hittner, and to the Honorable Kyle Carter, and I served as a Contributing Digest Editor of the Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So, it has not been a smooth road. At all. But, I would advice others with a similar background and big dreams to persist, because in the end every sacrifice will be worth it.
About 2% of American attorneys are Hispanic women. Let that sink in. If you have 100 attorneys in a room, only one other person will look like me.
This statistic has a lot of layers meriting discussion, but to keep matters simple, it is challenging when your desired profession feels more like a dream than a goal. Neither of my parents attended high school, so growing up, my siblings and I had to guide them more often than the other way around.
Also, my parents are both from Mexico, which further limited their opportunities, consequently impacting our upbringing. My mom had to drop out of middle school because she could no longer afford her bus pass and was close to running out of school supplies. She wanted to be a nurse. My dad dropped out of elementary school to work and help support his family. Before dropping out, he qualified for a national mathematics competition. He wanted to be a doctor. Therefore, they never let us forget how fortunate we are to have the ability to chase our educational aspirations.
We’ve been impressed with , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My practice consists of insurance coverage and general litigation work. Insurance coverage is a niche, so I am very fortunate to be able to practice my desired legal field. My job is to advise insurance companies on their contractual duties and insurance coverage issues. It is a very stimulating and complex area of the law because it involves reviewing and advising on a wide range of insurance policies across many sectors. To give you an idea, I have personally reviewed and analyzed the following types of policies: Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto, Business Auto, Professional Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Employment Practice Liability, Educators Legal Liability, to name a few. Every case is different, and the fact patterns are always interesting. I also litigate coverage issues and represent insurers in breach of contract and bad faith lawsuits.
How do you think about happiness?
My parents, helping others and my job make me happy.
I love spending time with my family. My parents, two siblings (Samantha and Jaime) and I are all competitive. We like to play poker, black jack, Rummikub and Trivia. Dad is the king of Trivia, mom is the queen of Rummikub, Jaime and I alternate on being “decent” at poker and black jack, and Sam… she makes killer margaritas.
Helping others is important to me because I know what it is like to feel helpless and impotent. While in law school, I helped high school students with their college applications, including by editing their essays. I also served as an interpreter and translator for children in court. As an attorney, I have served as a mentor for the University of Houston Law Center’s pipeline program and am currently working on a pro bono case with a partner at my firm.
Last but not least, my job makes me happy. I genuinely enjoy the practice of the law and securing favorable results for my clients.
Contact Information:
- Email:riveraarriagaruth@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.akerman.com/en/people/ruth-rivera.html
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-rivera-276b25114/
