Attorney Profiles

Mr. Riga is admitted to practice in all Federal and State courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has been a partner in the firm since 1998 and concentrates his practice in the areas of consumer finance and consumer protection defense and commercial litigation.

Joseph F. Riga is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Riga graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School where he was senior editor of the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review. He also received an L.L.M. in 1997 from New York University School of Law after a two year clerkship with Honorable David A. Scholl, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Riga began his practice with the firm Drinker Biddle & Reath, Philadelphia, PA. He also has been associated with Duane, Morris & Heckscher and Hangley, Aronchick, Segal & Pudlin, both of Philadelphia, PA. While practicing in Philadelphia, Mr. Riga represented large corporate debtors in Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings. He also represented secured and unsecured creditors in a variety of bankruptcy matters. On the transactional side, Mr. Riga represented lenders in loan originations, restructuring's and workouts. Mr. Riga also had a considerable appellate practice, representing businesses in appeals to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and bankruptcy appeals to the Federal District Court.

Mr. Riga joined Whittlesey McDowell and Holtz as a shareholder in 1998. Upon joining the firm, Mr. Riga continued his bankruptcy and commercial practice. He also represents regional businesses and individuals in a variety of litigation matters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Riga was made a named shareholder of the firm in 1999.

Year Joined Organization

• 1998

Areas of Practice

• Consumer Finance
• Consumer Protection Defense
• Commercial Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania, 1990
• New Jersey, 1989
• U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court New Jersey
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Pennsylvania

Education

• New York University School of Law, New York, New York, 1997
  L.L.M.
  
  
• Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, 1989
  J.D.
  Honors: Cum Laude
  Law Review: Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, Senior Editor
  
  
• Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1986
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  Honors: Cum Laude
  
  

Published Works

• Defenses for Sanctuary Movement: A Humanitarian Plea Falling Upon Deaf Ears, Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, Vol. 12, No. 1, Winter, 1989
• Recent Council Directives and Committee Proposals Affecting Public Procurement-European Communities, Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, Summer, 1989

Past Employment Positions

• Hon. David A. Scholl, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Clerk
• Drinker Biddle & Reath, Philadelphia, PA.
• Duane, Morris & Heckscher, Associate, 1983 - 1994
• Hangley, Aronchick, Segal & Pudlin, Associate, 1997 - 1998
• Whittlesey McDowell and Holtz, Shareholder

Birth Information

• April 13, 1964, Buffalo, New York, United States of America