Professional background and experience:

Riva is an admitted attorney and experienced mediator with over 15 years of practice in the family law field. She is the founder and director of Riva Lange Attorneys, a boutique legal practice based in Johannesburg. Her legal background includes experience in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, where she worked with the former Financial Services Authority in London. Upon returning to South Africa, she practised in family law litigation before establishing her own firm in 2012. After more than a decade of family litigation and legal consulting, Riva is now shifting her professional focus toward full-time mediation, with a commitment to helping parties resolve disputes in a more collaborative and constructive way. Riva draws on her legal expertise, practical insight, and compassion to support parties navigating emotionally complex disputes. She holds a BA and LLB from the University of Cape Town and was admitted as an attorney in 2005.

Mediation experience and style:

Riva is a certified commercial mediator, accredited by both the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and Conflict Dynamics. She is also experienced in attorney-assisted mediation and has mediated family law matters for over 15 years. Her mediation style is facilitative, sensitive, and grounded in deep listening. Riva creates a safe, respectful space for dialogue - empowering parties to reach practical, durable solutions that go beyond the strict application of legal principles. She views mediation as a powerful opportunity for meaningful change, echoing Natalie Ruiters’ insight that “mediation is a transformative process for the parties.”