CBA Record

Y O U N G L A W Y E R S J O U R N A L

Pro Files: Patricia Brown Holmes By Shawna S. Boothe

This profile is the third in a series. One of theYLS’s goals this year is to increase the membership and active participation of associates in large law firms. Each month, we will be profiling a Chicago lawyer who has practiced in a large law firm and is active in the CBA. This month, we profile current CBA President Patricia Brown Holmes of Riley, Safer, Holmes & Cancila and former a partner at Schiff Hardin LLP. My legal career has been a journey–I have explored many sides of the law, rang- ing from prosecution, defense and the judiciary, and in various practice settings, including federal, state and local govern- ment and in large and mid-size law firms. Along the way, I have been guided by one constant: a desire to improve the world for other people. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1986, I started my legal career as a Cook Would you briefly describe your work as a lawyer and the path that led you to where you are now? I am currently a named partner at Riley, Safer, Holmes & Cancila. RSHC is a full- service law firm that I helped found to bring something new to the legal market. I was formerly a partner at Schiff Hardin for 11 years where I served in various leadership roles, including the co-chair of the firm’s Compliance, White-Collar and Internal Investigations Team; chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee; and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. I was the first African American female equity partner at that firm when I joined in 2005. My own practice at RSHC focuses on representing individuals and companies in high-stakes commercial litigation; con- ducting solid, stealth and credible internal investigations; defending white-collar crime, and client counseling.

tee for the Northern District of Illinois. I was an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law and the Loyola Institute for Paralegal Studies, and was an instructor at the Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute–Criminal Trial Advo- cacy Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. I was a member of Senator Dick Durbin’s judicial commission to investigate backgrounds and select federal judges and the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. How did you first get involved in the CBA? I first got involved in the CBA during law school–at that time the CBA had a student division–and I have been involved with the CBA ever since. I really enjoyed my student involvement and continued being engaged with the CBA after law school. I have been active on many committees over the years, including the Criminal Law Committee, ad hoc and blue ribbon committees, and the Young Lawyers Section. What positions have you held with the CBA? I have been fortunate to hold a number of CBA positions, including being a member of the Board, Secretary, Second Vice Presi- dent and First Vice President. I am honored to serve as this year’s President–only the second African American female and sixth African American to be elected to the posi- tion in 142 years. Howhas your membership in the CBA helped your career? One word comes to mind: phenomenal. The CBA has provided me with oppor- tunities to showcase my skills and talents to a diverse group of people in different practice areas and walks of life. Work- ing with others on CBA committees and planning CBA events has allowed me to demonstrate leadership, organization and collaboration–attributes of lawyers that are

County Assistant State’s Attorney in the appeals division, quickly working my way up to supervisor. After five years pros- ecuting state-level crimes, I moved to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal crimes as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. I was later offered a position with the City of Chicago as its Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for the municipal prosecutions division, where I led the division for almost three years. In 1997, I was selected to join the bench as an Associate Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, where I served for almost nine years until I retired in 2005 and entered private practice. My path has also been shaped by my community involvement. I serve as a Trustee of my alma mater, the University of Illinois, which encompasses all three campuses (Urbana, Springfield, and Chi- cago) as well as the Medical and Research center. I am a Trustee of the La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Research Center (formerly La Rabida Children’s Hospital). And I am the sole Trustee of the Burr Oak Cemetery, charged with its rehabilitation following a horrific set of crimes includ- ing fraud and grave desecrations. I chair Chief Judge Ruben Castillo’s Magistrate Judge Evaluation and Selection Commit-

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48 APRIL/MAY 2016