Patricia Brown Holmes

Patricia Brown Holmes is a highly respected and accomplished lawyer who focuses her practice on high-stakes, “bet-the-company” commercial disputes and litigation; class actions; investigations and white collar criminal defense; environmental, social, and governance issues (ESG) such as diversity audits; and risk, reputation, and crisis management counseling for her wide range of public and private corporate clients. She is the first Black woman to lead and have her name on the door of a national law firm that is not women- or minority-owned. As a former state court judge and experienced prosecutor and defense lawyer, she brings a unique variety of capabilities to her practice. Her comprehensive trial experience, coupled with her deft management abilities, position her as a valuable advocate and trusted advisor to her clients.

Prior to serving as an associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Patricia was an Assistant U.S. Attorney and an Assistant State’s Attorney. She is one of only a handful of attorneys in the State of Illinois who has tried cases in state, city, and federal court as well as state appellate, federal appellate, and state supreme courts.

Patricia has practiced in courtrooms from all sides of the bench – as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and as a judge. Given her familiarity with sensitive legal matters, she is also especially qualified to conduct internal investigations and assist clients in managing their most critical “bet-the-company” crises. She is keen on business continuity, media and public relations, risk assessment, conflict resolution and recovery, and recurrence prevention. Every matter ends with lessons learned. Applying sound judgment, creative strategies, and common sense, Holmes navigates complicated and delicate legal matters with appropriate discretion and poise.

Patricia is also a highly respected mediator (on all sides of the process), known for her exceptional skills in resolving complex legal disputes. Her former judicial experience, calm and convincing demeanor, as well as her impartial and strategic approach, make her highly effective in mediating a wide range of cases, from corporate conflicts to sensitive personal disputes. Her deep understanding of the law, combined with her exceptional communication skills, compassion, and commitment to finding fair, balanced solutions, ensures that all parties feel heard and respected throughout the process.

Patricia is widely recognized as an engaging speaker, having presented to both corporations and law firms on a variety of continuing legal education topics, including ethics, diversity, and inclusion. She has won countless awards and accolades for her involvement in the legal community, mentoring successes, and efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She most recently received the BMLA Legends of the Law Award by the Black Men Lawyers’ Association, Managing Partner of the Year by the African-American Managing Partners & General Counsel Networks, ABA Diversity Leadership Award by the American Bar Association, Abner J. Mikva Award by the American Constitution Society, Chicago Legal Legends, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award by the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation, CCBA Hall of Fame by the Cook County Bar Association, Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Philanthropic Award by Lawyers Lend-a-Hand, Top Woman Lawyer in Leadership Award by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and the Laurie A. Miller Leadership Award by the Women’s White Collar Defense Association. She is ranked as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers® in commercial litigation and criminal defense: white-collar. She is also ranked in Chambers USA, and was awarded the Chambers USA Awards, Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution by Chambers and Partners, ranked a Top 50 Women Illinois Super Lawyer, and Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Patricia also serves as co-chair of the National Football League’s Diversity Advisory Council, inaugural member of the Chicago Bears Women’s Advisory Board, member of the executive committee of the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees, and member of The Chicago Network and Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She chaired the board of Just the Beginning — A Pipeline Organization from 2007-2023. She is a former President of the Chicago Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and Harriet’s Daughters, and she is a former board member of LaRabida Children’s Hospital and current board member of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation. Judge Holmes has served in a variety of high-profile appointed positions, such as the Special Prosecutor in the matter of Laquan McDonald, Sole Trustee of Burr Oak Cemetery, and co-chair of the Judicial Selection Commission for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, among others.