RSHC news

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.

The City of Chicago has filed a federal lawsuit to prevent President Donald Trump's Justice Department from making a federal crime prevention grant that is critical to public safety efforts conditional on unrelated and unlawful immigration enforcement actions. Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila and WilmerHale are providing their services to the City of Chicago pro bono to assist in this important effort.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila had the privilege of working with the City of Chicago in preparing an important amicus brief on behalf of the Cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and other major U.S. cities and counties, who have been negatively affected by President Trump’s executive order restricting travel from six predominately Muslim countries. On June 12, 2017, the Ninth Circuit mostly affirmed the district court’s injunction against enforcement of the travel ban. Citing the RSHC brief, the Court concluded that enforcement of the travel ban could “undermine trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and inflict financial and social costs, such as loss of tourism dollars.”

RSHC partner, Ron Safer, shared his thoughts with Chicago Lawyer about the vital importance of new billing models, technology efficiencies, and achieving goals that respect and respond to the client’s definition of success.

On Wednesday, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other cities weighed in against the President’s updated immigration ban for six predominantly Muslim countries, arguing to the Fourth Circuit that lifting the injunction on the ban would hurt city economies across the country.

Patricia Brown Holmes and Leslie D. Davis, RSHC partners, co-authored the cover story for the Best Lawyers “Women in the Law” Spring Business Edition 2017. While lateral transitions are generally beneficial for both the attorney and the new law firm, firms are now charged with finding more effective ways to quickly integrate lateral attorneys, particularly as those attorneys become more diverse. In order to remain competitive, law firms must work to address the barriers that have inhibited the successful integration of diverse lateral attorneys.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila had the privilege of working with the City of Chicago in preparing an important amicus brief on behalf of the Cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and other major U.S. cities and counties, who have been negatively affected by President Trump’s new executive order.

RSHC Serves as Pro Bono Counsel for ACLU, Hastings Center in Asylum-Seeker Detention Policy Suit

Patricia Brown Holmes will investigate and determine whether charges should be filed against Chicago Police Department personnel involved in the October 20, 2014 LaQuan McDonald shooting.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila and three major law firms partner to support the Cook County Public Defender’s Office develop unique aspects for their new advocacy curriculum.