RSHC news

According to a soon-to-be released survey of 3,000 lawyers by Joan Williams, University of California at Hastings law professor, there is a double standard for women lawyers expressing anger at work or in the courtroom when it’s justified. About to begin a six-to-eight-week federal trial, RSHC Managing Partner, former judge, and prosecutor, Patricia Brown Holmes shared, “… earn the trust of the judge and jury and show them that their stereotypes are wrong. One way that I do that is authenticity.”

RSHC Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes shares her opinions and experience with volunteering in nonprofits in Best Lawyers “Women in the Law” Summer Edition 2018 editorial article, “The Profit in Nonprofits.” Volunteer organizations are the lifeblood of the legal profession. Lawyers must participate in nonprofits to help shape the future.

The NCAA’s ‘Year in Residence” Rule permits Division I football student athletes to apply to transfer to different schools and to play at their new school after a year in academic residence. The rule operates to prevent trading from year to year like professional athletes. On June 25 the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected antitrust claims stating the NCAA’s eligibility rules define the status of student athletes and preserve the amateur character of college athletics. Congratulations to the NCAA and Greg Curtner on this victory.

RSHC Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes was featured in the June 21 American Lawyer story, “Data Shows Female Lawyers Are Moving Up Faster in #MeToo Era.” "Sexism and racism in the law industry is real,” said Holmes. “The world overall is changing and the law business eventually will catch up.” She expressed, “We are moving in the right direction.”

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP ranked a top ten firm in Law360’s annual 400 survey as a firm outpacing its peers on attracting and retaining women of color. With women of color making up 19.1% of its workforce, RSHC ranked ninth in the survey. Visibility, community, a voice at the table, and a balanced ladder are hurdles women of color face, and RSHC proactively tries to create an environment at the firm that “engages everyone and creates a camaraderie,” said Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP ranked sixth in Law360’s Glass Ceiling Report for best law firms for minority attorneys with 20-149 attorneys. At RSHC we believe the power of diversity is the power of collective wisdom. We are proud of our start, but it is just the beginning.

RSHC ranked 13 in Law360’s Glass Ceiling Report for best law firms for female attorneys with 20-149 attorneys. The firm pledged and continues to prove its commitment to making gender diversity a workplace reality. In addition to electing the first African-American woman managing partner to lead and have her name on the door of a major law firm that is not women, or minority-owned, RSHC has above-average women representation at every level of the firm.

The Partners of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP are proud to announce that name partner Patricia Brown Holmes has been unanimously elected as the firm’s first managing partner. A former judge, top tier litigator, and nationally prominent advocate for law firm diversity, it is believed that Patricia is the first black woman to lead and have her name on the door of a major law firm that is not women- or minority-owned.

RSHC Partner Jack Theis, former Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Obama, put out fires and advised White House officials on the legal side of crisis management. As an attorney at RSHC, he will advise clients on litigation, white collar matters, and how to respond to multidimensional problems with complex risks. Learn about some of the highlights of Jack’s job as a White House lawyer, how that experience relates to his new role, and what attracted him to RSHC.

Joseph Q. McCoy decided to try his hand at something brand new at RSHC and bring a complementary practice to an outstanding group of lawyers. Not afraid to go where few others have gone, he embraced the opportunity because he wanted to make a difference and influence outcomes.

On Tuesday, November 14, Arthur Brown walked out of prison and into the arms of his family after serving over 29 years for a crime he did not commit. In an all too familiar story, Arthur was convicted based solely on a confession he gave after being beaten and choked by police officers. A team of lawyers from RSHC worked to free Arthur and unraveled the State’s case. After a lengthy hearing, RSHC lawyers convinced the Judge to vacate Arthur’s conviction. Kim Foxx and her staff dug into the facts and quickly dismissed the case.

On September 30, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Governor Bruce Rauner announced the formation of an unprecedented 600-person committee of public and private sector leaders to demonstrate Chicago is the best place for Amazon’s second headquarters in North America. Deputy Mayor Robert S. Rivkin, and Deputy Governor Leslie Munger, will lead the bid effort. Patricia Brown Holmes and Ron Safer are proud to be among the select business leaders, who will speak with a powerful and unified voice, to highlight Chicago’s many strengths and the value of doing business in Illinois.

On Friday, September 15, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber enjoined the U.S. Attorney General from imposing new conditions on federal funding. If imposed, the new conditions would threaten the sovereignty of Chicago and undermine its commitment to embracing immigrants within its borders. In awarding preliminary relief against the U.S. Attorney General, the Court found that Chicago will likely succeed in demonstrating that the new conditions are unconstitutional at trial. The preliminary injunction applies nationwide to any jurisdiction seeking funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

On Monday, September 11, RSHC Partner, Ronald Safer, asked U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber for a nation-wide injunction to stop the Trump Administration from denying law enforcement grants to sanctuary cities

On Friday, September 8, Chicago led 44 cities and counties, in addition to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court challenging President Trump’s Executive Order banning individuals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the country and suspending the admission of refugees into the U.S. In their united brief, the municipalities argue that the Executive Order discriminates against Muslims and violates the religious freedom protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The brief was prepared with the pro bono assistance of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila.