Born in Wyoming, Rives grew up in the Nebraska Sandhills and was involved in production agriculture.  He attended the University of Wyoming where majored in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management with a Minor in the Honors Program. 

     Rives received his J.D. in 2013 from the University of Wyoming College of Law.  As a law student Rives was on several regional and national competition teams that competed in Salt Lake City and New York City involving civil and environmental law issues.  He also clerked for a high end medical malpractice litigator.  After graduating, Rives practiced law in Pinedale, Wyoming, performing state and federal criminal defense and civil litigation.  Rives has been counsel in four jury trials, three felony and one misdemeanor, where he recieved not guilty verdicts on any contested charge.

     In 2014, Rives moved to Pullman, Washington, and became a Washinton State Cougar while his wife finished veterinary school and received her DVM.  During 2014 and 2015, Rives was licensed and practiced in Washington and Idaho.  After his wife's graduation, they moved to Cody, Wyoming, where they now call home.  From here, Rives practices throughout the Wyoming.