Overview

Carmen Y. Rivera concentrates her practice in labor and employment, municipal court matters, and complex civil litigation.

She defends individuals and management in all employment-related matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, and whistleblower claims in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Carmen investigates claims of potential employment law violations on behalf of employers.

While attending Rutgers Law School, Carmen served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Ann M. Donio, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and as a Certified Legal Intern for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and Children’s Justice Clinic at Rutgers Law.

 

Representative Experience

  • Obtained dismissal of race discrimination claim against large American chain store on a claim of race discrimination in a place of public accommodation
  • Obtained dismissal of tort claims against a state entity
  • Obtained summary judgment as to employee’s claims of sex discrimination
  • Successfully drafted and argued various motions in discovery disputes
  • Handled pro bono matters, including a federal Civil Rights case on behalf of a transgender offender

Professional & Community Activities

  • Camden County Bar Association
  • Garden State Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Rutgers Alumni for Diversity, Inclusion, Community-Building and Access in the Law Committee (RADICAL), Former Co-Chair
  • I Dare to Care Association, Board Member
  • Take a Chance on Law, Founder

Speeches & Presentations

  • Remarkable Graduates Ceremony, Subaru of America – Keynote Speaker, June 2022
  • Practice & Judicial Externship Panel, Rutgers Law School – Panelist, 2020-2023
    StreetLeader Alumni Panel, Urban Promise – Panelist, 2019- 2023
  • Justice for All, RVN TV – Guest Speaker, 2021
  • Restorative Justice CLE, American Inn of Court for ADR – Instructor, May 2021
  • Marshall-Brennan National Moot Court Competition – Guest Speaker, March 2021
  • Beyond the JD, Rutgers Law School – Panelist, March 2021
  • Parents of Promise, Camden Promise Neighborhood- Guest Speaker, March 2021
  • Fourth Annual Pre-Law Diversity Conference, Rutgers Law School – Panelist, January 2021
  • From Juvenile Court to Award-Winning Attorney, Rutgers Camden Magazine – Featured, December 2020
  • Lifting as we Climb: Role of Law Student Leaders in Advancing Women in the Legal Profession, Ms. JD – Panelist, October 2020
  • WURD Radio – Guest Speaker, May 2020
  • Self-Love: The Key to Life, Mercer County Youth Services – Keynote Speaker, December 2019
  • Your Best Life with Lisa, Temple TV – Guest Speaker, September 2019
  • Staff Professional Development Training, Pride Academy – Presenter, September 2019
  • Restorative Justice in Education, Camden City School District – Presenter, August 2019
  • Chat & Chew, HopeWorks Camden – Guest Speaker, August 2019
  • Women Working Wonders, South Jersey Credit Union – Guest Speaker, July 2019
  • Project Guardian Career Day, Camden County Police Department – Keynote Speaker, May 2019

Professional Recognition

  • Camden County “Woman of Honor” Award (October, 2019)
  • New Jersey Legislature Citation Recipient, U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation Recipient (October, 2019)
  • Camden County Proclamation (April 2019),
  • “Women Who Matter” Award (March, 2019)
  • NJ Law Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer and Courier Post (2019)
  • Philadelphia Inquirer (2020)

Representative Experience

  • Obtained dismissal of race discrimination claim against large American chain store on a claim of race discrimination in a place of public accommodation
  • Obtained dismissal of tort claims against a state entity
  • Obtained summary judgment as to employee’s claims of sex discrimination
  • Successfully drafted and argued various motions in discovery disputes
  • Handled pro bono matters, including a federal Civil Rights case on behalf of a transgender offender