Athena Pearl Riley

Personal

Athena Pearl Riley is a former felony prosecutor, licensed Realtor, and real estate investor. Athena’s extensive trial experience, meticulous attention to case details, and real estate background has made her the go-to attorney for individuals, investors and businesses alike seeking the zealous representation they deserve. Selected to serve as the Chief Justice of her alma mater at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Athena went on to graduate from UNM School of Law, where she was a member of her law school’s nationally ranked mock trial team, winning Regionals and advancing to Nationals. Athena received a number of distinguished honors during law school, including the American Association for Justice Partnership in Advocacy award, the American Board of Trial Advocates mock trial student of the year award, first place honors in the Mediation Competition, advancing to Regionals in the Negotiation Competition, competing in the invitation only National Institute for Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions, and serving as the President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Student Association.

Athena was subsequently selected to be the National Trial Competition Coach for Golden Gate School of Law in San Francisco, California, where she taught for two years prior to relocating to Destin Florida. Athena received the 2019 Florida Association for Women Lawyers “Leader in the Law” award and has dedicated her practice to protecting her clients financial and property interests.

Community Involvement

Athena is very active in her community, having served on a number of local boards including United Way, Boys & Girls Club and the Healthy Start Coalition. Athena is the founding member of the Okaloosa Florida Association for Women Lawyers (OFAWL), and of Franklin’s Tree House Foundation, where her and her husband have created the “Confident Kids!” program which partners with Children in Crisis, Inc, a non-profit organization serving foster children from Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties. She is also a member of the Professional Investor’s Guild – a local real estate investing association, where she received the award for best before and after home renovation. In her free time, Athena enjoys running, reading, cooking and exploring the white sand beaches and nature trails of the place she now calls home.

Practice areas

Athena’s practice covers a wide range of civil issues including simple to complex contract disputes, business entity incorporations, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations, land disputes, condominium defects, HOA representation, mold litigation, unlawful detainers, evictions, and defending against federal and state civil asset forfeitures, among handling a number of other civil issues.