On May 22, 2017, the Supreme Court overturned decades of Federal Circuit precedent, holding that the patent venue statute was not broadened by the later-amended general venue statute. This holding will have significant dampening effect on cases brought in certain jurisdictions, such as E.D. Texas and other venues considered patent-friendly. Moreover, venues like the District of Delaware may experience a swell of patent cases as patentees seek to avoid jurisdictions where a defendant has a place of business.

The May 2017 Illinois State Bar Association Bench & Bar newsletter featured an article on Illinois Rule of Evidence 502 by RSHC attorneys Eli Litoff, Kelly Warner and Ed Casmere.

Patricia Brown Holmes, RSHC Partner, will be the guest speaker at the May 15 CCBA & BWLA Newly Admitted Attorney Reception at the M Lounge in Chicago. She will speak about the importance of civility, honor and mentoring in the profession. All newly licensed lawyers are invited to attend.

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.

RSHC partner, Valarie Hays, will be a featured panelist at the 10th Annual DOJ & SEC Enforcement 2017 Update taking place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago on May 18. Speakers will include Dave Glockner (Regional Director SEC); Jason Yonan (Securities & Commodities Fraud Section, U.S.A Office, ND Ill.); and James Godley (FBI Agent - Head White Collar Crime Task Force).

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.

On Wednesday, April 12, the Federal Circuit affirmed a victory for our client Allscripts Healthcare Solutions in a patent infringement case brought in the Eastern District of Texas. Allscripts, a leader in the medical records software and solutions industry, was accused of infringing U.S. Patent No. 7,640,271 which claimed a “portal”-type system for patient access to electronic medical records. The case was brought by a non-practicing entity, Preservation Wellness.

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.

On April 4, 2017, the Seventh Circuit issued a monumental opinion (Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana), holding that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It is the first [and only] federal circuit court decision of its kind; and comes only one week after the Second Circuit ruled that sexual orientation is not a protected category under Title VII..

Law Bulletin Seminars, a division of Law Bulletin Publishing Company, will host its 10th Annual Chicago White Collar Crime & Corporate Governance Conference, “Implications of a Trump Administration,” at the Swissotel Chicago on April 19. RSHC Partner, Dave Resnicoff, will Chair the anti-corruption panel, including Emmanuel Ayuk (Global Compliance & Counsel), Jeff Cramer (Berkeley Research Group), Meghan Hansen (Latham & Watkins), and Nick Berg (Ropes & Gray).

RSHC Partners, Patricia Brown Holmes and Ron Safer, will be presenting at the March 30 – April 1, 2017 Black Women’s Law Association (BWLA) National Summit entitled, “Legacy: Celebrating Our History and Charting Our Future.”

On March 27, 2017, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding an issue that has long plagued defendants in patent cases: are the venue rules applied by the Federal Circuit at odds with the patent statute and Supreme Court precedent? TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands, LLC, No.16-341.

SCA Hygiene Products v. First Quality Baby Products, Case No. 15-927 (March 21, 2017)

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.

The Black Women Lawyers Association (BWLA), during their 30th Anniversary year, recognizes former BWLA President and founding member Patricia Brown Holmes, also immediate past CBA President, as their 2017 Vanguard Award recipient. The Vanguard Awards provide Chicago’s legal community with a focal point that celebrates the accomplishments of diverse lawyers and organizations and fosters greater understanding and collaboration between the city’s diverse bar associations.

State’s Attorney Dismisses All Charges Against Wrongfully Convicted "Marquette Park 4", Ron Safer and Eli Litoff Part of the Team of Lawyers that Provided Pro Bono Legal Counsel.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila is proud to announce that eight partners have been selected for inclusion on the 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list. Patricia Brown Holmes ranked in the Top 50 Women, and Ronald S. Safer ranked in the Top 100. The Super Lawyers selection process involves a diverse list of top attorneys nominated by peers, independent research across 12 key categories, evaluation by a highly credentialed Blue Ribbon panel of attorneys and final selection of only 5% to Super Lawyers.

Patricia Brown Holmes is an inspirational leader in the legal and greater community. She personifies justice, equality, inclusion and hope. She is a highly respected and accomplished lawyer with a reputation for excellence, integrity and unerring judgment.

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP has been named a Tier 1 firm in Chicago in four practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for the Seventh Edition of “Best Law Firms.” The firm also earned a Tier 2 ranking in Chicago for Appellate Practice and a National Tier 3 ranking in two practice areas.

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