RSHC news

In RSHC Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes Law360 essay, “BigLaw Cannot Reap Diversity Rewards Without Inclusion,” she shares her perspective and impresses that the first step to advancing diversity is to start listening to colleagues at all levels.

RSHC Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes was featured in Law360’s Diversity Snapshot video where she shares insights on creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. To make this “a movement and not a moment,” everyone needs to be able to come to work every day and bring their authentic self, without judgment, fear, or rejection.

Twenty-five years ago today (August 31) marks the takedown of the 39 top leaders of the Gangster Disciples (GD) including Larry Hoover, the gang’s undisputed leader. The GDs were the largest monolithic gang in the nation responsible for hundreds of murders and hundreds of millions of dollars of illegal drug sales. This was the most ambitious assault on any major gang in the nation’s history. Ron Safer, together with his partner Matt Crowl, led a team of law enforcement officers that developed a strategy to target the leaders of the gang who got rich using children to sell their drugs and wield their weapons.

RSHC Partner Ron Safer and Kristine Bunch retell the heartbreaking story of Kristine’s 3-year-old son’s death and her wrongful conviction and 17-year incarceration for arson and murder based on false evidence. The podcast describes the long and winding road Kristine’s legal team, including Kelly Warner and Art Mitzel, took to win her freedom and prove no crime was committed. The Wrongful Conviction Podcasts with Jason Flom are produced to raise public awareness, educate, and inspire action.

RSHC Attorneys Patricia Brown Holmes, Kelly Warner, and Andrew Wu, co-authored "Tips For Protecting Privilege In Remote Internal Investigations" which was published in Law 360 on August 20, 2020.

Crain’s Chicago Business has recognized RSHC among Chicago’s Notable Businesses Championing Diversity & Inclusion 2020 in the legal profession. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of RSHC and a mission-critical assignment. RSHC strives to be an inclusive workplace for all of its people. #ProudtobeRSHC and to Support Our LGBTQIA+ Family.

RSHC Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes has been chosen to serve on the Illinois Judicial Conference’s COVID-19 task force to guide the court system through its court-reopening processes. The 14-member team comprised of judges and lawyers from different practice areas and different communities will evaluate and make recommendations about technology options for jury selection and trials and remote proceedings while maintaining due process and safety during the pandemic.

RSHC Founding Partner Ron Safer, a former federal prosecutor, was featured in a recent Chicago Sun Times article about the First Step Act.

RSHC is proud to announce that our Managing Partner, Patricia Brown Holmes, has been recognized as a 2019 Notable Minority in Accounting, Consulting & Law by Crain’s Chicago Business. An inspirational leader, Patricia “leads from the front,” and encourages others to dream, learn, do, and become more. Patricia teaches others to overcome obstacles, tear down walls, and break through glass ceilings with unparalleled grace, dignity, and humility. We are honored to call her our Managing Partner.

We are pleased to announce that our partner, Edward Casmere, was recently accepted into the membership of the prestigious Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC). The FDCC is comprised of U.S. and international civil defense litigators, senior corporate counsel, and insurance claims executives. Dedicated to promoting knowledge, fellowship and professionalism for lawyers and other professionals, the FDCC strives to achieve a balanced justice system in the defense of civil lawsuits.

Vault’s “2020 Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For” names RSHC tops several different categories. RSHC was named #1 in Best Midsize Law Firms for Diversity, and #1 in Best Midsize Law Firms for Pro Bono. RSHC was also named #14 in Best Midsize Law Firms for Technology and Innovation, #18 for Firm Culture, and #23 Overall.

RSHC is working to change the face of the legal profession, literally, and figuratively. We are pleased to announce that RSHC has been named a Top Five firm for minority lawyers AND a Top Ten firm for minority equity partners.

Ron Safer and Eli Litoff are proud to be part of the team that secured Bernard Williams’ release from Cook County Jail on Friday. In February, the Court of Appeals vacated Mr. Williams’ murder conviction and granted a new trial, but a Cook County Judge ordered that Mr. Williams be held without bail until his new trial was completed.

Congratulations to Drahcir Smith and the entire 2019-2020 Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA) Board of Directors and Scholarship Fund Board, who were installed on June 3. The group pledged their renewed commitment to making an “impact” on the legal profession, as well as the general community-at-large, and changing so many lives.

RSHC is proud to sponsor and have RSHC Partners, Meghan McMeel and Kate Stimeling, presenting at The Women, Diversity & Change Summit programs in Chicago (June 6) and San Francisco (June 11). Meghan will be speaking at the June 6 program on strategies for strategically fostering effective sponsors for women in law to progress their careers. Kate will be presenting on the June 11 San Francisco panel, “Sponsors, Influencers & Career Engineering.” The conference will explore and inspire lasting change for women and minorities in the legal profession.