Beth M. Rivers joined Pitt McGehee Palmer Rivers & Golden in October 2001 after more than 20 years as an advocate fighting for the rights of employees. In June 2005, Beth became a partner in the firm. Beth has devoted her entire legal career to representing the rights of individuals in employment discrimination and civil rights cases. Her significant contributions to the field prompted her nomination and selection to Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
Beth has demonstrated exceptional expertise in legal research and writing in individual
and multi‐plaintiff cases as well as nationwide class actions. She has successfully briefed
and argued many ground‐breaking cases in a variety of venues including the Michigan
Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court and federal appellate courts across the nation.
Significantly, she was responsible for first two landmark decisions interpreting the Older
Worker’s Benefit Protection Act in the Sixth Circuit. In addition, she wrote the brief to New
Jersey Supreme Court in the case in which the court held that employers must abide by the
policies and procedures contained in their handbooks and manuals.
Beth is also routinely sought out to contribute to a variety of publications specializing in
employment discrimination law in state and national publications. She is a contributing
author to Employment Litigation in Michigan as well as Employee Rights Litigation:
Pleadings and Practice. In addition, she has written amicus briefs on behalf of plaintiffs on
employment law issues for cases pending in State of Michigan and the Sixth Circuit.
Beth obtained her B.A. from Rutgers University, majoring in American History. After
reluctantly leaving the ocean behind, Beth relocated to Michigan to attend the University of
Detroit School of Law, graduating in 1980.
Beth’s commitment to social justice and civil rights extends into the community. She
previously served as Treasurer of the National Lawyers’ Guild and Women’s Justice Center.
Currently, Beth is an active member of the ACLU, Affirmations Community Center, National
Employment Lawyers Association, the Michigan Association for Justice and the State of
Michigan Labor and Employment section.
Beth and her partner of more than 20 years, Connie Webb, were finally able to be married
in Los Angeles in 2008. Beth and Connie are the proud parents of daughter Rebecca Webb.
In her spare time, Beth is passionate about sports, travel, politics and the theater.
