Attorney Erika A. Riggs graduated from Wayne State University, earning her bachelor’s and law degrees. During law school, Erika devoted her free time to public service, education, and mentorship. She co-founded a non-profit, The 313 Project, providing scholarships for at-risk youth, pro-bono legal advice, and volunteer work in Detroit. She also served as a senior note and comment editor of the Wayne Law Review, property law teaching assistant, and small claims court mediator.
Since receiving her law degree, Mrs. Riggs has strictly specialized in assisting the disabled before the Social Security Administration and the VA. Erika can regularly be found in her community, engaging non-profits and volunteering at community events. Her compassion and commitment to under-served populations are as notable as her skilled and unique legal arguments. Mrs. Riggs received the inaugural Crain’s Detroit Business ‘Notable Women Lawyers’ award in 2017, Avvo’s Client Choice award for the eighth consecutive year, 2022 Rising Star award for the fifth consecutive year by Super Lawyers (extended to less than 2.5% of attorneys practicing in Michigan) and the ABA On the Rise Top 40 – Young Lawyer award in 2022.
Erika is conversational in Spanish and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Macomb County Bar Association, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, and National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates. Mrs. Riggs is a current council member of the State Bar of Michigan Public Outreach and Education Committee and Executive Committee member for All-Well Being Services, where she enjoys strategizing new and creative ways to increase access to education and end the stigma surrounding mental health. Erika is accredited to practice before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her office is commonly referred to as the ‘chocolate factory’ – a title she takes quite seriously. She loves spending time with her family – traveling, martial arts, and exploring the outdoors.
Erika appeared on Episode 116 of the Lawyer Stories podcast. You can listen to the episode in its entirety below, through Spotify or Apple.
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Honors, Awards, and Recognition
- Crisp Effect Challenge, Winner, 2022
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Award, 2022
- ABA On the Rise Top 40 – Young Lawyer Award, 2022
- Super Lawyer-Rising Star, 2018 – 2022
- Client Choice Award,’ Avvo, 2016 – 2022
- State Bar of Michigan, Young Lawyers Section, Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Finalist, 2018
- Leaders in the Law’ Award, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2021
- Notable Women in the Law,’ Crain’s Detroit Business, 2017
- Honors Pass, The WSU Asylum & Immigration Law Clinic, 2011
- Senior Note & Comment Editor and a Symposium Coordinator, The Wayne Law Review, 2010 – 2011
- Awarded the “Distinguished Young Leaders” award by the ESDI, 2009 – 2010
- Certified Civil Mediator, December 2010 – present
Civic and Community Engagement
- Founding Director, The 313 Project, October 2011 – present
- Board Member, All-Well Being Services, August 2021 – present
- State Bar of Michigan Public Outreach and Education Committee, member 2022 - present
- Free Legal Aid and Resource Fair, May 2022
- Board Member, Southwest Solutions Economic Solutions, February 2015 - 2017
- Committee Member, Southwest Solutions Public Policy, April 2016 – 2017
Publications and Presentations
- Social Security & Disability Presentation and Q&A at MRS, 2019
- Social Security Disability Hearings: Practice Tips and Strategic Guides, ProLaw CLE March 2021
- Representing Veterans in their Claim for Social Security Disability Benefits, State Bar of Michigan, Social Security Section, March 2022 Newsletter
- Women, Law and Empowerment, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, March 2022
- Social Security Disability Insurance Presentation at TTI, December 2022
- Social Security Disability Insurance Presentation at ARC-Oakland County, December 2022
