Joseph T. Rivera Jr. is a partner in the New York office of GRSM and a member of the Products & General Liability practice group. He has extensive experience handling complex litigation in the areas of product liability, special education and criminal litigation. Joseph also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at his alma mater, Fordham University Law School. As a litigator, Joseph has negotiated favorable outcomes on behalf of his clients prior to and during litigation and has achieved favorable verdicts through bench and jury trials.
- Obtained unanimous defense verdict on behalf of bicycle manufacturer against a $4 million dollar claim for severe personal injuries caused by defective bicycle coaster brakes.
- Successfully resolved tire blowout case against tire manufacturer for less than 1% of the initial multi-million dollar settlement demand where the plaintiff suffered multiple cervical fractures, traumatic brain injury, and temporary paralysis for months.
- Prevailed at trial and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a foreign pressure cooker manufacturer where the plaintiff alleged severe third degree burns and permanent scarring and demanded $12.5 million to settle.
- Obtained dismissal of a $4 million dollar personal injury lawsuit against light bulb manufacturer in which the plaintiff claims he was severely injured when a light bulb failed and caused a fire.
- Successfully obtained discontinuance of property damages claims against lithium ion battery alleging that a battery exploded and burned down a home.
- Successfully obtained discontinuance of claims against a lithium ion battery manufacturer for an estimated excess of $300,000 damage to a home.
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Western Districts of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Memberships
- Hispanic National Bar Association, Region II Deputy Regional President
- La Unidad Latina Law Guild, Co-Chair
- Fordham Law Alumni Attorneys of Color Committee, Member
- Fordham Law LALSA Alumni Advisory Committee, Member
- Tufts Lawyer’s Association, National Board Member
- Regis High School Bar Association
- GRSM National Hispanic Affinity Group, Co-Chair
Education
- J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2012
- Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law, Associate Editor
- Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Team
- B.A., International Relations/Philosophy, Tufts University, 2007
- Steamfitter’s Promotion Fund Scholarship Recipient
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2023-2025)*
- Lawyers of Color – Hot List Distinction (2023)
- Fordham University School of Law LALSA’s Andrew A. Rivera Alumni Achievement Award (2021)
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the Best Lawyers selection methodologies can be found at: https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology.