November 18, 2024

Clare Riva Joins Pacifica’s Municipal Law and Finance Practice Group

"Clare’s impressive work as a public defender makes her a great fit for Pacifica, its public clients, and its public service mission."

Pacifica Law Group is pleased to announce that Clare Riva has joined the firm as an associate in our Municipal Law and Finance Practice Group. A former King County Public Defender, Riva brings significant litigation and trial experience to Pacifica’s municipal law practice. In addition to supporting Pacifica’s public clients in municipal advice and litigation matters, Riva will work on tax-exempt and taxable debt financings as part of Pacifica’s nationally-ranked bond practice.

“Clare’s impressive work as a public defender makes her a great fit for Pacifica, its public clients, and its public service mission,” said Pacifica Municipal Law and Finance Practice Group Leader Stacey Crawshaw-Lewis. “She is a talented attorney and we are thrilled to have her join our team.”

Prior to joining Pacifica, Riva honed her trial practice representing clients and first-chairing 10 trials as a public defender. She also worked in appellate law for the Washington D.C.-based Constitutional Accountability Center, where she represented clients such as the U.S. House of Representatives as amicus. After graduating from law school, Riva clerked for the Honorable Peter J. Messitte in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Riva earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School, where she received honors for her pro bono and clinical work. Prior to pursuing her law degree, Riva obtained her B.A. in Philosophy and Ethics from Claremont McKenna College, and later worked as a consultant for financial services providers.

Click here to download a PDF of this news release.