Rizzo handles a variety of complex matters in the area of civil litigation, specializing in employment law and consumer rights. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego, where she graduated cm laude with a double major in Political Science – International Relations and Spanish Literature. Rizzo graduated from the University of San Diego, School of Law.
She passed the California State Bar Exam and was admitted to practice law in December 2006. While in law school, Ms. Rizzo volunteered at several non-profit agencies helping abuse victims and local immigrants seeking legal services. In honor of her pro-bono work, she received the Wiley W. Manual Award in 2005. Also during law school, Ms. Rizzo externed at the United States District Court for the Honorable Nita L. Stormes, Magistrate Judge, and clerked at the United States Attorneys’ Office in the Civil Division. She led the USD Appellate Moot Court Board both as Vice-Chair and National Team competitor. After becoming licensed, Ms. Rizzo worked as an Associate Attorney for the law firm of Hosey & Bahrambeygui, where she represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters. In October 2007, she joined the prestigious San Diego law firm of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, where she worked for the next four years in the areas of employment law, business litigation, tort law and insurance coverage matters. Among many notable achievements during her time at Higgs, Ms. Rizzo personally handled a bench trial and received a verdict for her local business client and obtained a significant defense judgment for her national corporate client. In July 2011, Ms. Rizzo launched her solo practice in downtown San Diego, dedicating the majority of her time to the representation of consumers and employees. In August 2011, Ms. Rizzo was part of a two-person trial team, which after two weeks of trial for sexual orientation discrimination, successfully obtained a jury verdict award for their client. In addition to running a successful law practice, Ms. Rizzo is a Bar leader and an active participant in the legal community. For the last five years, she has served as a Director on the Board of Directors for the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division (former Young/New Lawyer Division). As a Director, Ms. Rizzo chaired the Continuing Legal Education Committee where she developed the “Civil Litigation 101” 6-part series, a program which still runs. Rizzo was elected as President to the Division where she also held a Director position on the Board of the San Diego County Bar Association. As President, she created the New Lawyer Division “Mentoring Circles” program. During 2011, she served on the Red Boudreau Advisory Committee, where she developed the “Judge David R. Thompson New lawyer Award” recognizing a new attorney for their significant service to the administration of justice. Since becoming a member of the San Diego legal community, Ms. Rizzo has donated her time to her alma matter the University of San Diego, School of Law and other local law schools. She has participated in the Alumni Interactive Program at USD, spoken at law student orientation programs for both USD and Thomas Jefferson and has lectured for USD’s Civil Practicum course. In addition, she is a frequent volunteer judge for USD’s moot court competitions. Rizzo has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and developing programming to assist newer attorneys practice law successfully, and with civility, integrity and professionalism. In recognition of her significant service to the legal community, Ms. Rizzo received the San Diego County Bar Association’s “Bar Stars” award in 2009 and 2010. She has also been honored twice by the San Diego legal community as a recipient of the 2009 and 2011 San Diego Daily Transcript’s “Young Attorneys” award, which annually recognizes the area’s most promising young associates. Rizzo was invited by the Daily Transcript to serve on the judging panel for the award. In 2011, Ms. Rizzo was honored by USD School of Law as one of two recipients of the “Rising Star” Distinguished alumni awards for her significant work in the legal community. Rizzo is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the San Diego County, California State and American Bar Associations’ Civil Litigation and Labor and Employment Law sections, the American Inns of Court -William B. Enright Chapter, the Lawyers Club of San Diego and Consumer Attorneys of San Diego. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company, which promotes diversity through theater in downtown San Diego. Rizzo is fluent in Spanish and in her free time, she enjoys cycling, hiking, foreign and domestic travel and spending time with her loving husband, Tom, their families including sixteen nieces and nephews, and their two dogs, Zucca and Roxie.
