Riley Palmer
No Company Is Too Big to Play FairAbout
Riley represents those who have experienced discrimination—whether at work, in public accommodation, or elsewhere. She has obtained favorable outcomes at the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals. Her experience also includes litigating civil rights cases to trial in Minnesota state and federal courts.
Riley is a member of the litigation team that secured a landmark victory for transgender Minnesotans in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting. There, the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously held that the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination against transgender people in sports. The case gave the Court occasion to comment on an issue of first impression and to reaffirm bedrock principles of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Riley embraces an empathetic, client-centered approach to help her clients navigate what can often be some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Prior to joining the firm, Riley clerked for Alaska Superior Court Judge Amy Mead; interned with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet; and served as a Managing Editor of the Wisconsin Law Review, as a clinical student in the school’s Eviction Defense Clinic, and as co-president of the Queer Law Students Association. Riley graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Throughout her career, Riley has held various retail and customer service positions, and worked in local government, in rural civil legal aid, and at a prominent New York law firm.
Education
- J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, cum laude
- B.A., Bates College
Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Alaska Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court – District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court – District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court – District of North Dakota
- U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
Memberships & Honors
- MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2024
- Minnesota Employment Lawyers Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Alaska Bar Association
- National Trans Bar Association
- Former Board Member, Trans Law Help Wisconsin
Presentations & Publications
- Know Your Rights: Minnesota LGBTQIA+ Discrimination Protections, April 2025
- Litigation Update: Cooper v. USA Powerlifting, MN Lavender Bar Association Annual Conference CLE, February 2025
- Comment, Trojan Unicorn: Exploiting Religious Exemptions to Advance LGBTQIA+ Law, 2021 Wis. L. Rev. 1541