Luis E. Rivera Attorney At Law

Astute litigator with extensive experience counseling clients in business litigation, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and insolvency.

Luis Rivera helps clients navigate some of the most difficult situations faced by businesses, including complex business litigation, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and insolvency matters. A trusted advisor, Luis is one of only ten attorneys in Florida who is board certified in Business Bankruptcy Law and Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and one of only two court-appointed fiduciaries who administers Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases in Southwest Florida.

Among his peers, Luis is known for his deep industry knowledge and established relationships within Florida courts. He is praised by clients for his thorough understanding of complex financial matters and his ability to simplify the complicated bankruptcy process and creditors’ rights. Luis’ bankruptcy experience includes representation of lenders, individuals, and financial institutions in both consumer (Chapter 7 and 13) and Chapter 11 reorganization cases, as well as involuntary and discharge proceedings. He also has extensive experience in a variety of business and general civil litigation matters, including contract disputes, real property litigation, mortgage foreclosure, landlord/tenant disputes, and title insurance litigation.

In addition to his work with clients, Luis also uses his financial and legal experience throughout his community and has most recently been appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees. 

• Notable Work
  • In re Eihab H. Tawfik, M.D. P.A. Appointed Chapter 11 trustee in case involving alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud by Debtor that owned and operated five medical clinics.
  • Represented Lee County (Florida) in its successful prosecution of a $4.5 million claim against The Hertz Corporation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware regarding an Incentive Award Agreement entered into by Hertz and Lee County when Hertz relocated to the County
  • Brokered a swift and consensual resolution following 13 years of complex commercial litigation involving insurance coverage and first- and third-party bad faith insurance claims, which provided for a seven-figure distribution to unsecured creditors of the Chapter 7 estate of Edward Murawski.
• Recognition
  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2020-2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2025
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2009-2024
  • Florida Trend, Legal Elite
    • Bankruptcy and Workout, 2020-2021
    • Up and Comer, 2017
  • Naples Illustrated, Top Lawyers, 2018-2020, 2022, 2024
  • American Bankruptcy Institute, 40 Under 40, 2017 (inaugural class)
• Insights
  • Speaker, "Evidence Workshop: Mastering the Rules of Evidence in Bankruptcy Court, Part I," American Bankruptcy Institute Winter Leadership Conference, December 13, 2024
  • "Advanced Fraud and Hidden Assets," Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association seminar, October 18, 2024
  • Panelist, "MCA Lenders in Bankruptcy - Is it the Wild West or a New Frontier?," Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, June 12, 2024
  • "Financing Statements: Close Enough Only Counts in Horseshoes," ABI Journal, May 2024
  • Panelist, "Judicial Roundtable Workouts: Problems, Problems, Problems!," 2024 Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, February 16, 2024
  • Panelist, "Bankruptcy Crimes," 2024 Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, February 15, 2024
  • “The Kearney fix is in: Preventing Floridians from unintentionally pledging away their retirement,” State-to-State, The Florida Bar Out-of-State Division, Fall 2023
  • "MCA Lenders in Bankruptcy - Is it the Wild West or a New Frontier?," Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association CLE, May 9, 2023
  • Moderator, “Judicial Roundtable Workouts: Problems, Problems, Problems!,” Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, February 22, 2023
  • “The Benefits & Pitfalls of Subchapter V,” The Florida Bar Business Law Section Winter Meeting, January 25, 2023
  • "Know When to Hold 'Em, Know When to Fold 'Em," ABI Journal, January 2023
  • "Equity & Inclusion Leads to Innovation and Greater Results – The Case of Johnson Publishing Company," The American Bankruptcy Trustee Journal, Volume 38, Issue 02, Spring 2022
  • "Antiquated or Adequate? An Overview and Examination of Florida’s Bankruptcy," The Florida Bar Business Law Section Webinar, May 27, 2021
  • "Student Loans — Economic Shackles — Present Looming Heartache," Business Observer, June 2018
• Media
  • "Do You Know Our Board Of Trustees?" Eagle News, January 16, 2023
• Affiliations
  • The Florida Bar
    • Twentieth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "C," 2018-2021
  • U.S. District Court
    • Bench Bar Fund Committee
  • Supreme Court of Florida
    • Mediator Qualifications and Discipline Review Board, 2021-2024
  • Lee County Bar Association
    • Law Week Committee
      • Blood Drive, Chair
  • Southwest Florida Bankruptcy Professionals Association
    • Past-President
  • The Middle District of Florida Pro Se Bankruptcy Legal Assistance Clinic, Inc.
    • Board of Directors
  • Bankruptcy Law Educational Series Foundation, Inc.
    • Board of Directors
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
    • District-Wide Steering Committee
    • Local Rules Committee
  • Hispanic Institute at Hodges University
    • Past-Chair of the Advisory Board
  • Lee County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
    • Past-Chair
  • Lee County Charter Review Committee
    • Former Member
  • Chamber of Southwest Florida Leadership Lee, 2010 Class
• Credentials
  • J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2005
    • Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights, Editor-in-Chief
  • B.A., Loyola University, 2001, magna cum laude 
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeal, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida