Lorena Rivas

Originally from Mutual, Oklahoma, Attorney Lorena Rivas (Abogada Lorena®) is the proud daughter of two Mexican nationals whose dedication inspired a lifelong commitment to serve and represent immigrant communities. As the CEO of Rivas & Associates, a nationally recognized immigration law firm based in Oklahoma that serves immigrants across the United States, Lorena is committed to ensuring that her clients receive high-quality, compassionate legal representation. Under her leadership, Rivas & Associates has grown into one of the fastest-growing law firms in the region, with over 150 employees, 95% of whom are minority women, serving clients nationwide. But Lorena’s vision extends far beyond the courtroom. In 2024 alone, her firm invested over $123,000 in community-centered initiatives across Oklahoma, including holiday drives, back-to-school giveaways, and local cultural celebrations.

In 2025, her firm led a successful legal challenge alongside Padres Unidos de Tulsa and the ACLU to temporarily block Oklahoma’s anti-immigrant House Bill 4156. This landmark case is a continuation of her life’s work: Empoderando Inmigrantes, Construyendo Futuros: empowering immigrants, building futures. Whether through hosting legal clinics, funding student-led initiatives, or sponsoring events that celebrate Latino identity and culture, Lorena continues to create spaces where immigrant communities are supported. Her commitment to immigrant rights and equity has earned her numerous accolades, including the Fern Holland Human Rights Award, recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and a spot on Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 200. In 2023, her firm was named to the Inc. 5000 list and ranked #31 in the Southwest, solidifying her status as a national leader in both law and business. Lorena holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law, where she graduated with honors.

Awards
In 2016, Lorena Rivas was recognized by the Tulsa Business & Legal News as being one of the city’s “most accomplished professional women” with their annual Women of Distinction Awards.

For her notable efforts, Lorena was also awarded the 2018 Fern Holland Award which is annually given to a lawyer who advocates for human rights or the empowerment of women.

Lorena Rivas was also selected to deliver a speech at the American Immigration Council’s national annual American Heritage Awards in the inaugural AILA American Dreams speech contest in 2019.

Licensed to practice in Oklahoma, Lorena Rivas has served as the past committee chair for the Tulsa County Bar Association diversity committee and the Oklahoma Bar Association’s (OBA) Immigration Law Committee.

She also serves as a faculty member at The Clinic’s Immigration Court Trial Advocacy College training immigration attorneys from all over the United States to fearlessly advocate for their clients in immigration court.

Education
Lorena is a graduate of the OBA’s Leadership Academy and Family Law Section Trial Advocacy Institute. She was nominated for the 2015 Williams Women of Inspiration Award and is a member of Leadership Tulsa Class 60 for 2018-19.

Lorena graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law, where she not only graduated with honors but also actively participated in the Immigrant Rights Legal Clinic.

Admissions
Originally from Mutual, Oklahoma, Lorena is the proud daughter of two Mexican nationals who have paved the way for her to continually serve and represent her community as an immigration law attorney.