Shani Rivaux

Shani Rivaux has a diversified practice that extends to a wide range of sectors.

Shani is a proven trial lawyer with significant trial and arbitration experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes cases. Shani’s experience allows her to effectively counsel her clients on the benefits and risks of trial and to develop novel, efficient and winning legal strategies.

Shani is experienced in complex commercial litigation, business disputes, complex contract disputes, unfair trade practices, breaches of fiduciary duties, trade secret theft, unfair competition, professional negligence, health care litigation and products liability/mass tort litigation. Her extensive experience includes all aspects of litigation from the pre-suit stage, discovery, trial and through appeals.

Representative Experience

Represented developer and owner of spinal surgery company in trial involving business theft, unfair trade practices and theft of trade secrets, which was affirmed twice on appeal and resulted in a judgment of over $370 million. Bailey, et. al. v. Laser Spine Institute, LLC, et. al.
Defended Philip Morris USA in 50+ decertified class action cases in Florida state and federal court, in various stages of litigation including handling and developing strategies for pre-trial investigations, fact and expert depositions, dispositive motions, pre-trial motions and trial.
Defended Dupont in multiple mass tort actions arising from property damage in product liability litigation and arbitration.

Successfully represented a pro bono Plaintiff in Title IX litigation in a bench trial in the Middle District of Florida.

Represented real estate developer in breach of contract and environmental contamination action.

Represented a family in successful Ninth Circuit appeal which sought the return of Nazi-looted art from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Spain.

Professional Highlights

Recognized by Best Lawyers (published by BL Rankings LLC), Commercial Litigation (2022 – 2024).
Awarded National Law Journal’s 2019 Winning Litigators as “masters of the courtroom.”
Financial Times, Most Innovative Firm in Litigation and Disputes

Law360 2018 Product Liability editorial advisory board

Since 2014, included in South Florida’s Super Lawyers.

Awarded the top 40 under 40 attorneys in South Florida.

Fellow with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.

Associations

National Association of Women’s Lawyers

American Bar Association

Florida Bar Association

Dade County Bar Association

Education

J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 2007
cum laude

B.A., Rutgers University, 2002
with honors

Admissions

Florida

Courts

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Languages