Maria Rivera-Ortiz

Managing Attorney

As Managing Attorney of the Firm, Attorney Rivera-Ortiz drives from one Massachusetts courthouse to another - familiarizing herself with local law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and court staff. By observing and working with certain judges, she learns how they rule.  Taking that knowledge as she oversees the Firm's criminal intake process, Maria finds out which judge is assigned to preside over each client's case and instantly starts evaluating certain factors - with an eye toward winning every case.

Having worked for the District Attorney's office, Maria Rivera-Ortiz knows that the system can make mistakes because of false allegations or over-zealous prosecutors and police officers. While she believes that most prosecutors and officers are honest people doing a tough job, she also knows investigations can become focused on proving a defendant's guilt.

Maria works to maintain good relationships with prosecutors, judges, probation officers, clerks, and other players in the Massachusetts criminal and juvenile justice system. Sometimes a successful result for a client is a "not guilty" verdict after a jury trial. Other times, success may mean a guilty plea that does not involve a jail sentence. Whichever the case may be, Maria's relationships help her to achieve the best results possible for her clients.

In addition to her Massachusetts practice, Attorney Rivera-Ortiz also appears before the United States Federal Court and the United States Supreme Court. She is an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Worcester County Bar Association, and the Hampden County Bar Association.  Additionally, Maria is on the Board of the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts and an Attorney Advisor for the South High Community School mock trial team.