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Cliff P. Riley

Member

When a business dispute puts current operations, financial futures, or ongoing viability at risk, Cliff Riley steps in to find a way out. A seasoned and accomplished business and real estate litigator who has served as lead counsel in many high-dollar, high-profile cases, Cliff combines skilled courtroom advocacy, creative strategies, and personal commitment to obtain favorable outcomes in a wide range of matters.

Recognized as one of D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers Under 40” and as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Cliff understands that a trial is not always the optimal solution to a business dispute.

He works quickly and efficiently to develop a comprehensive understanding of each case's relevant facts and law, bringing order out of chaos and charting a path that best serves his clients' business objectives. Few attorneys bring as much experience, insight, and litigation acumen as Cliff does, whether that path leads to the courthouse or the negotiating table.

Representing both businesses and individuals, Cliff handles every aspect of complex, consequential business and real estate litigation, from initial evaluation through appeal.

At both the trial and appellate levels, his experience includes cases involving limited liability company membership and partnership disputes, real estate, arbitration proceedings, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, patents and trademarks, and non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements.

Cliff possesses a deep understanding of the strategies and approaches that work with judges and juries—and those that don't—from his time as a clerk for a federal judge in New York City. That experience formed the foundation of a litigation practice that has earned him a long record of success as well as recognition from his peers.

“In business disputes, zealous advocacy means more than just making persuasive arguments. It means understanding what the client's desired business outcome is and tailoring a strategy designed to get to that outcome as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
    • Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 2012
    • University of Dallas, B.A., Political Philosophy, 2009

  • Bar Admissions

    • Texas
    • California

  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

    • Recognized in Texas Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star for Business Litigation, 2022 and 2023

    • Named a "Best Lawyer Under 40" by D Magazine, 2021
    • Managing Editor, Pepperdine Law Review
    • State Bar of Texas
    • State Bar of California
    • Dallas Bar Association – Commercial Litigation Section Member
    • Texas Young Lawyers Association – Member
    • Director, Board of Directors, Non-Profit Juntos Clothing, Co.
    • Pro Bono Counsel, the Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Museum
    • Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program Volunteer

    • Chair, Texas Subcommittee, Dykema Associates Committee

    • Member, Dykema Technology Committee

    • Law Clerk, District Judge William F. Kuntz, Eastern District of New York

Contact

Dallas214-462-6462

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