Martina Rider Porter is a partner at the California law firm of Hemar, Rousso & Heald, LLP (HRH) and has more than 25 years of industry experience in commercial litigation for HRH, which has been practicing banking and equipment leasing law for nearly 40 years. Over the course of her career, Rider Porter has been a fierce advocate in the courtroom and has gained the experience and insight needed to truly understand the importance of what each client needs, often producing exceptional results. It is her ability to listen and pay attention to detail that has allowed her to excel in her career and become a respected voice in the finance community.

“Martina is an exceptional litigator and advocate for our clients,” Dan Heald, a managing partner at HRH, says. “l have witnessed her step up over the years with her strong work ethic and handle overseeing the individual caseloads of our clients. When she is representing our firm at the various conferences and client meetings, she is straightforward, approachable and has a keen connection to each person she speaks with.”

Rider Porter attributes her rise to her current leadership position as partner at HRH to her mentors, including Marty Rousso, one of the founders of the firm. In addition, Rider Porter believes in the importance of hard work, asking questions and striving forward on a targeted goal, which she learned from Heald. Rider Porter intends to continue to lead by their example in the years to come at both HRH as well as in the equipment leasing industry by contributing on different committees and continuing to act as a mentor.

Rider Porter also understands the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I am fortunate to work for a forward-thinking law firm and a team of very talented and dedicated individuals at HRH,” she says. “To have more than half of the partners at HRH to be women is an aspect of which we are particularly proud.” As a partner at HRH, Rider Porter also heads the Inclusion and diversity program while serving as the firm’s head of marketing.

After being a member as well as speaker for many years for both the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the National Equipment Finance Association, Rider Porter was extremely honored to be asked to serve on the planning committee for both the ELFA and the NEFA for 2023. Rider Porter also participates as a mentor in the ELFA Women’s Council mentoring program and the planning committee for Equipment Finance Cares in Southern California.

It is a time in my career to be able to pivot and give greater time and energy to these amazing groups supporting the equipment industry,” Rider Porter says, attributing her career achievements to the continued love and support of her family, as “any success attained is achieved and celebrated together.”

‘Hemar, Rousso & Heald is delighted that our clients nominated Martina for this truly amazing recognition and couldn’t agree more,” Wayne Terry, a partner at HRH, says. This is a well-deserved honor and HRH is proud to have Martina recognized for her continued representation in the equipment industry. We have come to reply on Martina in helping to continue to lead our firm forward in the finance industry.”