The power of diversity is the power of collective wisdom.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diverse and inclusive teams are better teams. Better teams deliver better results. At RSHC “diversity” “equity” and “inclusion” are not simply buzzwords, but the essence of our law firm – not just because it is right, not just because a law firm should reflect those we serve, but because of the fundamental truth that the more diverse, equitable, and inclusive our teams, the better the solutions and the greater the value that we produce for our clients.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is real and demonstrable – but don’t just take our word for it, here’s a list of some of the recent recognitions we have received as a result of “walking the walk” on DEI:

Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in multiple different categories (2024-2025)
Chambers USA Awards 2023, Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution – Patricia Brown Holmes
Finalist Chambers USA Awards, Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Firm (2023, 2021)
BTI Client Service A-Team Top 100 List (2024, 2023)
Commitment & Investment Award from The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms (2023, 2022, 2021)
Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization Diversity Partnership Award (2023)
Top 100 Social Impact Leader by Law360 (2023)
Inaugural Top Legal Employers in Leadership – DEI Award from Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (2023)
Vault’s Top 150 Under 150 (2021-2023)
Delivering Diversity Award from The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms (2022)
Midsize Client Service Masters by BTI Consulting (2022)
Exelon’s DEI Honor Roll (2022, 2021)
Pro Bono Leader by Law360 (2022)
McDonald’s EMPOWER Award (2022)
U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in multiple different categories (2021)
Top Law Firm for Client Service During the Pandemic by BTI Consulting Group (2021)
Corporate Counsel Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards, Managing Partner of the Year – Patricia Brown Holmes (2021)
National “Midsize Heavyweight” by BTI Consulting (2020)
Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Businesses Championing Diversity & Inclusion (2020)
Vault’s Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For, top 25 in multiple categories, including two #1 rankings (2020)

We strive to be an equitable and inclusive workplace for all of our people, where each contributor is recognized, shows up authentically, and feels the investment of the organization in the individual's future. RSHC is a member of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance.

For us, diversity, equity and inclusion begin with the names on our door, extends through our partnership and associate ranks, and informs our recruiting, staffing, and vendor choices. We believe that lawyers from different backgrounds provide a better perspective on the problems that our clients face. We are committed to serving our clients with superb lawyers who offer a variety of cultural, racial, and gender perspectives. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining, nurturing, and advancing lawyers from all groups and walks of life and intend to maintain and expand our diverse and inclusive culture.

RSHC Diversity Page Group Photo Collage 2024.11.13

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Recently, McDonald’s Corporation announced Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHC) as one of the winners of its Legal Department’s 2022 EMPOWER Award in the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report (DEI). RSHC shares McDonald’s core values and demonstrates an innovative and strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Through their work to embed and operationalize the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into how they manage their organizations, RSHC, along with the other winning firm have gone above and beyond to create and drive meaningful change.

RSHC believes DEI work plays a critical role within its organization, so DEI contributes directly to all performance evaluations and bonus considerations. In this way, DEI is in the fabric of everything RSHC employees do. In addition, RSHC’s compensation model is unique in that they do not have billing or origination credit, nor do they track realization rates. Through this innovative approach, they have taken away the factors that create competitiveness. Instead, credit is awarded for expanding and collaborating with peers to better serve clients.

The firm also boasts a robust Engagement and Culture Committee that regularly hosts mandatory workshops aimed at fostering courageous conversations for all levels of people across the firm. This programming was shaped in partnership with nationally recognized diversity and inclusion strategist Dr. Derrick Gay through a multi-phase process involving anonymous comprehensive data collection and climate assessments. What’s more, RSHC partners with and sponsors many organizations promoting diversity in their communities. This includes prioritizing minority vendors, as well as providing space and resources to the non-profit Just The Beginning organization, which encourages students of color to pursue legal careers. RSHC also runs its own pipeline program, the RSHC Summer Institute, which introduces diverse high school and college students to the legal profession.

Read the full text of the McDonald’s announcement here