Riley E. Hemm joined Gianelli, Friedman, Jeffries & McKernan in 2026, bringing with her a diverse legal background and a passion for helping people through life's most important transitions and challenges. Her practice areas include estate planning, trust administrations and terminations, and estate litigation.
Riley earned a Bachelor of Arts in History before obtaining her Juris Doctor. During her undergraduate years, she played collegiate basketball in South Carolina. She was admitted to practice law in both California and Arizona in 2024.
Before joining the firm, Riley clerked for the Honorable Michael Kelly at the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division II, where she researched complex legal issues and drafted appellate opinions and decisions. She later practiced with the Tuolumne County Public Defender’s Office, representing clients charged with misdemeanor offenses and guiding them through every stage of the court process, from arraignment to sentencing, and successfully tried numerous misdemeanor cases.
Although relatively new to Tuolumne County, Riley has quickly established roots in the community and proudly calls it home. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, surfing, backpacking, and preparing homemade meals for family and friends.