Patricia Brown Holmes

Litigation and Crisis Management

With her experience as a trial lawyer, as well as her familiarity with both sides of the bench, Patricia is frequently called upon to participate in high-stakes litigation cases. She has been a member of the litigation teams in several major commercial trials and served as lead counsel in multiple class-action litigations.

• In re the Special Prosecution in the matter of Laquan McDonald. Patricia was appointed by the Circuit Court of Cook County to investigate the alleged police cover-up in the shooting of teenager, Laquan McDonald, which led to a first-in-the-nation prosecution of several officers of the Chicago Police Department.
• United States v. Conrad M. Black et. al. Ron Safer and Patricia co-led the trial team that successfully defended former Hollinger International Inc. executive and corporate counsel Mark S. Kipnis against charges of federal mail, wire, and tax fraud in a case that went to the Supreme Court of the United States, where Patricia and her trial team prevailed. In the end, Mr. Kipnis was totally vindicated.
• United States v. Mohammad Mohammed, et al. Patricia successfully tried this complicated and multi-layered “bankruptcy bust-out” case, a first of its kind in the country, involving the prosecution of a complex financial scheme to defraud creditors and violate income tax laws.
• United States v. Castellanos, et al. Patricia successfully tried this series of cases in Rockford, Illinois, involving a complex narcotics trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, and other federal violations. Castellanos was one of the largest multiple-defendant interstate narcotics conspiracy trials ever prosecuted in that district.
• United States v. Charles Emenogha. Patricia successfully tried this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case, involving multiple defendants, complex conspiracy allegations, and the first-ever money-structuring charge brought by the Internal Revenue Service.

Patricia has also litigated multiple bet-the-company cases in federal court and in state court. Patricia has successfully defended numerous companies against claims of commercial fraud, civil conspiracy, strict liability, and negligence. For example, Patricia teamed up with fellow RSHC partner Sondra Hemeryck to successfully defend United Airlines, Inc. in more than a dozen putative consumer class actions, litigating a wide range of issues such as breach of contract, consumer fraud, violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Recently, in Hammarquist, et al. v. United Continental Holdings, Inc. et al., Patricia and Sondra won summary judgment in favor of United Airlines against breach of contract claims in a class-action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Patricia also leads the firm’s Risk, Reputation, and Crisis Management practice area. Public and private entities routinely call on her to counsel them through their most significant crises, from high-profile allegations of misconduct by senior executives to dawn raids of companies for violations of federal law. She has worked with clients to develop incident response plans before a crisis hits and frequently collaborates with public affairs professionals to develop communications strategies. With her years of experience handling multidimensional and complex matters, she has the knowledge and the judgment necessary to manage the contingencies and assess the legal and reputational risk of any crisis. She has performed board-level crisis management round tables as well as presented findings and suggestions for recurrence prevention.

Internal Investigations and White Collar Crime

Patricia successfully conducts internal investigations at public and private corporations, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations. Her comprehensive experience includes matters involving financial and accounting fraud, drugs and other conspiracies, corporate whistleblower allegations, contract disputes, mail and wire fraud, and other criminal matters. Companies and government officials frequently task Patricia to assist in investigating, defending, and resolving sensitive matters. Her representative experience includes:

• Multiple representations of various governmental organizations in response to subpoenas, both national and international, including Russia, Mexico, Africa, India, China, Hong Kong, and Europe.
• Multiple representations of various individuals and corporations under investigation by various government agencies for alleged company conduct violating federal mail fraud, wire fraud, RICO, bribery, bank fraud, and Medicaid/Medicare fraud, and environmental laws.
• Multiple representations of companies under investigation for alleged violations of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act.
• Representation of numerous corporations and individuals serving as key witnesses in various government investigations.
• An appointment by Judge LeRoy K. Martin, Jr., Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, to investigate wrongdoing by Chicago Police officers in the shooting incident which resulted in the death of Laquan McDonald.
• The completion of the investigation of the City of Chicago’s fire commissioner, who was charged with allegations of sexual harassment, and the alleged cover-up by the executive director of the Office of Compliance.
• Service as the chair of the governor’s Cemetery Oversight Task Force. Patricia led the investigation surrounding the tragic incidents alleged to have occurred at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, IL. The investigation led to new legislation regarding cemetery oversight and the funeral industry, as well as her appointment as sole trustee of the cemetery.
• An appointment by Illinois governor Pat Quinn as the inaugural chair of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, which promulgated rules and regulations and investigated claims of torture.
• Service as a member of Senator Dick Durbin’s judicial commission to review candidates and make recommendations for federal judgeships in the Northern District of Illinois.

Legal Counseling

Patricia is a trusted counselor to high-profile clients and corporations. Her understanding of her clients’ business continuity needs helps her to identify and achieve their desired results. Her sophisticated and intelligent approach to legal counseling has been honed through years of successful partnerships in the public sector as well as high-level private corporations. She provides strategic and tactical advice to help her clients continue to do business legally and effectively. Patricia also knows how to communicate productively with government officials using credibility, clarity, and tact. She has presented to boards of directors of several companies as well as to executive leadership teams nationwide.

Education

University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 1986
University of Illinois, B.S., 1983
Board of Trustees, Executive Committee Member (2011-2016, 2019-2025)

Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Section of Litigation
Section of Business Law, White Collar Crime Committee
Section of State and Local Government Law
American Law Institute, Class of 2020
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., Past President (1997-1998) and Founding Member (1987)
Visionary Award (2005)
Vanguard Award (2017)
Business Leadership Council
The Chicago American Inn of Court
Chicago Bar Association, Past President (2015-2016); Board of Managers (2011-2017)
Dickerson Award Recipient (2013)
Blue Ribbon Committee on Juvenile Justice, Chair
Chicago Lawyer/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Women's Advisory Board (2018)
The Chicago Network, Board of Directors
The Cook County Bar Association
Centennial Presidential Award for Dedication to the Bar (2014)
Judicial Award (1998)
De Novo Business (new publication for law firm leaders), Editorial Advisory Board (2021)
Economic Club of Chicago
Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, Chair of the Board of Directors (2007-2023)
Law360
Diversity & Inclusion Editorial Advisory Board (2022)
Hospitality Editorial Advisory Board (2021)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Illinois Judges Association, Former Co-Chair, Retired Judges Committee
Illinois Judicial Council Foundation, Former Chair
Distinguished Service Award (2005)
Illinois State Bar Association
Leadership Greater Chicago, Fellow, Class of ‘93
Distinguished Fellow Award (2012)
Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA)

Special Appointments

Appointed Co-Chair of the National Football League (NFL) Diversity Advisory Council (DAC)
Appointed to the Chicago Bears Inaugural Women's Advisory Board (2024)
Appointed Co-Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Screening Committee
Appointed to the Illinois Judicial Conference COVID-19 Task Force
Appointed Special Prosecutor in the Matter of Laquan McDonald
Appointed Trustee of the Burr Oak Cemetery Oversight Task Force
Appointed Inaugural Chair of the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
Appointed Co-Chair of the Judicial Selection Commission for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Appointed to the American Jury Project Commission for the Seventh Circuit Bar Association

Teaching Appointments

Adjunct Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law
Adjunct Professor of Law, Loyola Institute for Paralegal Studies
Instructor, Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute
Criminal Trial Advocacy Section of the U.S. Department of Justice

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers® (Commercial Litigation, 2011-2025); Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2020-2025)

Chambers USA Awards, Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution
Chambers and Partners (2023)

Chambers USA
Chambers and Partners (2013-2024)

Managing Partner of the Year
African-American Managing Partners & General Counsel Networks (2024)

ABA Diversity Leadership Award
American Bar Association (2023)

Abner J. Mikva Award
American Constitution Society, Chicago Legal Legends (2023)

Justice John Paul Stevens Award
Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation (2023)

CCBA Hall of Fame
Cook County Bar Association (2023)

Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Philanthropic Award
Lawyers Lend-a-Hand (2023)

Top Woman Lawyer in Leadership Award
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (2023) 

Laurie A. Miller Leadership Award
Women’s White Collar Defense Association  (2023)

Beyond in Big Law Award
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (2022)

Women of Influence
Chicago Business Journal (2022)

Chicago’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives
Crain’s Chicago Business (2021-2022)

Chicago’s Notable Women in Law
Crain’s Chicago Business (2018, 2022)

Chicago’s Notable Minorities in Law
Crain’s Chicago Business (2019)

Managing Partner of the Year—Law Firm
Corporate Counsel Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards (2021)

Illinois Leading Lawyer
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2008-2010, 2012-2024)

Top 10 Leading Women Business Lawyers
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2012-2020)

Top 10 Leading Women Criminal Defense Lawyers
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2012-2020)

Top 100 Leading Business Lawyers
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2018-2020)

Top 100 Leading Women Business Lawyers
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2012-2020)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Lawdragon Inc. (2023-2025)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
Lawdragon Inc. (2019-2022)

MCCA Rainmakers Award
Minority Corporate Counsel Association (2022)

Illinois Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters (2007-2024)

Top 10 Illinois Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters (2022-2023)

Top 50 Women Illinois Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters (2009-2014, 2017-2024)

Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters (2019-2024)

Top Rated Litigators
Martindale-Hubbell and ALM (2018-2021)

Who’s Who Legal
Law Business Research Ltd. (Investigations, 2019)

Litigation Trailblazers
National Law Journal (2019)

Ida B. Platt Award
Cook County Bar Association (2018)

Outstanding Women in Business Award
Rainbow PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund (2018)

Most Influential Black Lawyers
Savoy Magazine (2018)

Chicago Defender Newsmaker
Chicago Defender Magazine, Real Times Media (2017)

Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago
Crain’s Chicago Business (2017)

CHICAGO LAWYER PERSON OF THE YEAR
Chicago Lawyer Magazine, Law Bulletin Media (2016)

Top 10 Women Criminal Defense Lawyers
Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2011, 2015)

‘Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service’ from the United States District Court (2014)

One of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Illinois
National Diversity Council (2011, 2014)

Posse Power of 10 Award for Commitment to Diversity in Education and the Workforce
The Posse Foundation, Inc. (Chicago) (2014)

Chicago United Business Leader of Color (2013)

Litigation Star
Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation (2009, 2012, 2013)

Client Service All-Star
BTI Consulting Group (2012)

Top 250 Women in Litigation
Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation (2012)

2011 Advocate for Diversity Award, Diversity Scholarship Foundation

Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2011)

One of Twelve “2011 Chicago Women in Law” by Chicago Lawyer Magazine

Outstanding Alumna Award for Public Service
University of Illinois (2010)

National Bar Association Judicial Council Special Chair Award
National Bar Association Judicial Council (2009)

Peer Reviewed AV® Preeminent™
Martindale-Hubbell (Since 2008)

Who’s Who in Black Chicago – Inaugural Edition
News Communications’ Marquis Who’s Who (2006)

Outstanding Alumni Seaberry Award for Service to the Legal Community
University of Illinois (1998, 2005)

”20 & Counting,” (co-interviewee) The 20th Anniversary Issue Illinois Super Lawyers® (January 2024)
”From Across the Bench,” (co-interviewee) Best Lawyers® (August 16, 2023)
”Reading, Writing and Regret, What I Wish I’d Learned in Law School,” (co-interviewee) ABA Journal, Vol 109, No. 2, (April/May 2023)
”Countering Economic and Social Inflation Effects on Verdicts,” (co-author) Law 360 (March 16, 2023)
”New Sheriff in Town on ESG,” (author) Best Lawyer American Bar Association “Women in the Law” Business Edition (Spring 2022)
“The Impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance Issues on White Collar Enforcement," (co-panelist) American Bar Association, 37th National Institute on White Collar Crime, San Francisco, CA (March 3, 2022)
“Racism in Sports,” (co-interviewee) Evenings with Steve Skurka LLB (February 23, 2022)
“D&I Initiatives,” (co-presenter) GC Cannabis Forum (January 21, 2022)
“How Inside Counsel Can Move the Needle on Diversity,” (co-author) (January 10, 2022)
“An Allied Front Against Ransomware,” (co-author) Best Lawyers Legal Insights (November 4, 2021)
“Neutral Shift,” (co-author) Best Lawyers 2022 The Midwest Issue (October 1, 2021)
“CCI Corporate Social Conscience,” (speaker) Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (September 22-24, 2021)
“2021 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession: Returning to the Law Office… Or Not,” (co-panelist) American Bar Association (July 29, 2021)
“One Year Into The Pandemic, What Have Law Firm Leaders Learned?,” (co-presenter) Law360 Pulse Video Clips (May 14, 2021)
“The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership,” (speaker to Fundamentals of Legal Practice class) University of Illinois College of Law Leadership Project (April 23, 2021)
“Engaging Conversations with Top Leaders,” National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Power Hour (February 25, 2021)
“One Year Into The Pandemic, What Have Law Firm Leaders Learned?,” (co-presenter) Law360 Pulse Video Clips (January 4, 2021)
“Black Lawyers Speak: Stories of the Past, Hopes for the Future, Episode 1, Uncommon Law,” (co-narrator) Bloomberg Law Industry Group Podcast Project (December 9, 2020)
“Tested and Triumphant,” Best Lawyers Legal Insights Profile (November 24, 2020)
“Talent Opportunities and Challenges, Changing Culture and Addressing Racial Equity,” (moderator) Ninth Annual Chicago Legal Market Conference 2020 (October 14, 2020)
“Women Leaders — Taking Charge After Leaning In,” (speaker to Class of 2020 Fellows) Leadership Illinois “Power of the Marketplace” Virtual Conference (September 23, 2020)
“BigLaw Cannot Reap Diversity Rewards Without Inclusion,” (author) Law360 Diversity Snapshot Series of Essays by Black law firm Leaders on improving diversity in BigLaw (September 1, 2020)
“Diversity Snapshot: As Told by Black Law Firm Leaders,” (video co-narrator) Law360 Diversity Snapshot (September 1, 2020)
American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) 45th Annual Training Institute – Value and Vision: A Virtual Experience, (opening session keynote) (August 24, 2020)
“Tips For Protecting Privilege In Remote Internal Investigations,” (co-author) Law360 Commentary (August 20, 2020)
“Leadership, Careers, and Women in Law Roundtable,” (panelist) Law Practice Today (June 15, 2020)
“#SelfiesWithSonya,” Q&A with Sonya Olds Som, High Performance Counsel Cyber (May 13, 2020)
Lawyer Limelight: Patricia Brown Holmes, 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America Guide (March 20, 2020)
“Learning Your Leadership Language,” (co-panelist) CBA Women’s Summit, Chicago, IL (March 6, 2020)
Lawyer Limelight: Patricia Brown Holmes, Lawdragon (December 29, 2019)
“ALL ABOARD, What effect is California’s new law mandating more women in corporate boardrooms likely to have?,” (author) Best Lawyers “Women in the Law” Business Edition (Spring 2019)
“Drop-the-Mic Talk,” (speaker) Grit+Grace Day by Cheryle Jackson, Chicago, IL (March 22, 2019)
“30 Feminist Hit Singles Before Their Time,” (interviewee) Rare & Scratchy Rock ‘N Roll retrospective podcast (March 15, 2019) discussed female hit music and how it inspired and empowered Judge Holmes
“Sexual Harassment, Lying and the #MeToo Movement,” (panelist) Sixth Annual Managing Partner & General Counsel Forum, Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, Chicago, IL (February 20, 2019)
WVON1690AM, The Talk of Chicago Live Radio, Chicago, IL (February 13, 2019) discussed proposed legislation to use “El Chapo” Guzman gains to build border wall.
Adtalem EDGE Fireside Chat, (co-panelist) Adtalem Global Education, Chicago, IL (February 12, 2019) discussed the responsibility of being the first and only in corporate America and how to give back in that role.
Closing Keynote Address, The Quorum Initiative 2018 HOW Forum, New York, NY (November 1-2, 2018)
Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, Vol. III, (quote) CBD Marketing e-book (October 2018)
“The Year of the Yes,” (speaker) Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) Fourteenth Annual Career Strategies Conference, New York, NY (October 11, 2018)
“The Profit in Nonprofits,” (author) Best Lawyers “Women in the Law” Summer Business Edition (June 2018)
“Crisis Management for Today’s General Counsel,” (moderator) RSHC, Major, Lindsey & Africa, and PwC CLE Program, Chicago, IL (June 21, 2018)
“Uncovering Talent: A New Model of Inclusion,” (co-panelist) The Future of Law Firm
Leadership and Management Conference, New York, NY (June 19, 2018)
“Business Development Strategies for Diverse Lawyers,” (panelist) Mendelsohn Legal, Inc. CLE panel, Chicago, IL (May 16, 2018)
“May it Please the Court: Symposium on Women Lawyers in the Courtroom,” (panelist) The United States District Court, Chicago Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and Black Women Lawyers’ Association, Chicago, IL (April 12, 2018)
General Counsel Roundtable, (moderator) National Bar Association (NBA) Corporate Law Section Seventh Gateway to Success Conference, Nashville, TN (March 23, 2018)
“Power in the Boardroom, Strategies to Achieve Diversity on Corporate Boards,” (moderator) Black Women Lawyers' Association (BWLA) 2018 Spring Fundraiser, Chicago, IL (March 13, 2018)
“Be Direct:  Legal Conversations Demonstrating the Art of Direct Examination,” (took the stand) Cook County Bar Association CLE Series, University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, IL (March 6, 2018)
“The Fierce Urgency of Now,” (co-panelist) JPMorgan Chase and Co. BOLD Illinois, MLK Celebration, Chicago, IL (January 8, 2018)
“Chicago Special Prosecutor's Career Nearly Came to a Premature End,” ABA Journal Magazine Feature (December 2017)
“Using the Media to Litigate,” (co‐panelist) National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) 13th General Counsel Institute, New York, NY (November 9‐10, 2017)
“Yield No More” 2017 Women’s Leadership Forum, The Executive Leadership Council, Chicago, IL (July 19, 2017)
“Corporate Monitorships, The Nuts and Bolts,” (co-moderator) ABA Criminal Justice Section CLE Program, The Women in White Collar Subcommittee, Chicago, IL (June 15, 2017)
CCBA & BWLA Newly Admitted Attorney Reception, (guest speaker) Chicago, IL (May 15, 2017) discussed the importance of civility, honor, and mentoring in the profession.
“Benefits and Mechanics of Diverse Partner Integration,” (co-
“Navigating Your Firm,” The Chicago Committee 2017 Law Firm Boot Camp Program for Junior Associates, (panelist) Chicago, IL (February 10, 2017)
“Attire: Your Most Overlooked Secret Weapon,” (Chapter 4 Author) in From the Trenches: Strategies and Tips from 21 of the Nation’s Top Trial Lawyers (2015)
“Be a Perry Mason, Not a Denn Crane,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin – Law Day 2013 (May 2013)
“China’s New Anti-Corruption Laws: Paper Tiger or Pouncing Dragon,” (copresenter) MCCA 11th Annual CLE Expo, Chicago, IL (March 22, 2012)
“What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You: Using Investigations to Protect Your Organization From Loss,” Schiff Hardin Labor & Employment Breakfast Briefing, Chicago, IL (October 19, 2011)
“When It Gets Personal: Advice to In-house Counsel on Avoiding Criminal and Civil Liability,” ECOA’s 19th Annual Ethics and Compliance Conference, Bellevue, Wash. (September 21, 2011)
“Environmental Criminal Prosecutions: Avoid Being One of the EPA’s Next Victories,” Governance & Executive Compensation 2011, Financier Worldwide (June 30, 2011)
“Protecting Your Company’s Valuable Trade Secret Assets: Lessons Learned from Recent Federal Prosecutions of Criminal Trade Secrets Theft,” Illinois MCLE Marathon 2011, Practicing Law Institute (May 16, 2011)
“Litigation: Guilty Pleas Preview Testimony in Galleon Insider Trading Case,” Inside Counsel (February 17, 2011)
“Corporate Officials Beware: Knowledge May No Longer Be Required for FCPA Liability,” (co‑author) Bloomberg Law Reports – Risk and Compliance (April 2010); Republished in Bloomberg Law Reports – Corporate Counsel (May 2010)
“Grease Payments are a Thing of the Past as the Reach of the FCPA Continues to Expand,” (co‑author) Bloomberg Law Reports – Risk and Compliance (March 2010)

Civic and Charitable Memberships

Chief Judge Ruben Castillo’s Magistrate Judge Selection Committee, Chairperson
Chief Judge James F. Holderman’s Magistrate Judge Merit Review Panel, Chairperson
Arts Meet DEI, LLC., Advisory Council – Corporate
Chicago Bears’ Inaugural Women’s Advisory Committee, Member
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2023-2024)
Harriet’s Daughters, Board of Directors, Chair
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism-Mentoring Advisory Committee
Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, Chair of the Board of Directors (2007-2023)
LaRabida Children’s Hospital, Board of Trustees
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees
Senator Dick Durbin’s Judicial Screening Committee, Co-Chair
University of Illinois, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee Member