Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law) announced that the Honorable Alberto (Al) Rivas has joined the firm’s Litigation Group. Appointed to the bench in 2010 by Gov. Jon Corzine, Judge Rivas presided over the Superior Court of New Jersey for Vicinage 8 in Middlesex County.
“Judge Rivas brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and insight into the firm’s already outstanding Litigation Group,” said Jeffrey S. Chiesa, co-chair of the Executive Committee. “His decades of experience will prove invaluable in resolving high-stakes and high-profile litigation matters.”
Judge Rivas spent his judicial tenure in the civil, family law and criminal divisions of Middlesex County until 2025, including a stint as presiding judge of the criminal division and as assignment judge of Middlesex County. In his role as assignment judge, he was responsible for the operation of the court and the supervision of judges and more than 500 employees while also maintaining a docket of cases.
“I am excited to return to active practice,” said Judge Rivas. “By taking this next step, I have the opportunity to couple my judicial experience with my passion for litigating complex civil matters at all stages.”
At the time of his appointment to the bench, Judge Rivas was a partner at Lite DePalma Greenberg & Rivas, LLC from 1996 to 2010. He was an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1987 to 1996, serving as the deputy chief of the Criminal Division from 1994 to 1996. Judge Rivas also served as law director for the City of Perth Amboy and as an adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School.
“Judge Rivas is an outstanding addition to the team both as a litigator and as a mentor,” said Frank J. Giantomasi, co-chair of the Executive Committee. “His unique mix of public and private experience will blend seamlessly with CSG Law, and his insights will further expand the Litigation Group’s already unparalleled service to achieve clients’ goals.”
Judge Rivas has sat on a variety of court committees, including the Lawyers Advisory Committees for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He was also appointed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals Task Force on Equal Treatment in the Courts, Race and Ethnicity Commission, and he served as chairman of the District VA Fee Arbitration Committee. Judge Rivas is a past president of the Rutgers Law School-Newark Alumni Association.
Judge Rivas began his career as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Anne E. Thompson of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey from 1985 to 1987. He earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School and his undergraduate degree from Princeton University.
