Derek Patrick Riley

Derek P. Riley is a Senior Trial Attorney at Reel Fathers Rights, based out of the Irvine office. Raised in Anaheim, he has lived in various cities and states before returning to Orange County. He is a military veteran and a dedicated single father of two. Derek earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration through a dual-degree program at Chapman University.

Derek has been an attorney for 20 years, with the last 11 years exclusively dedicated to family law matters. He has extensive experience handling high-conflict child custody cases, particularly those involving Move-Aways, psychological evaluations, minor counsel, children with special needs, and allegations of abuse. He is adept at addressing reunification matters and navigating cases involving individuals with complex personality dynamics.

In financial matters, Derek takes a practical and economic approach to support calculations and asset division. While he is highly experienced in litigation, he often finds efficient solutions for settlement. His expertise includes investigative discovery, asset classification disputes, business valuation, and income investigations for support determinations. He firmly believes that while happiness and peace of mind are invaluable, money is measurable—so it should be measured and resolved efficiently.
Derek is also highly experienced in Domestic Violence trials. These cases often have significant implications for custody, support, employment, and personal freedom. He understands the gravity of such proceedings and ensures that every case is taken seriously, whether for protection or defense against false allegations.

Prior to joining Reel Fathers Rights, Derek managed his own Orange County-based law firm. It took a firm as impressive as Reel Fathers Rights to convince him to leave his home office and become part of a larger team that shares his passion and dedication to family law, guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging times.