Schiff Hardin Partner Named President of CBA

CHICAGO, IL —June 26, 2015— Schiff Hardin LLP is pleased to announce that Judge Patricia Brown Holmes (retired), a partner and member of the firm’s Executive Committee, has been named president of the Chicago Bar Association (CBA). During the association’s 142^nd annual meeting, Ms. Holmes received the ceremonial Lincoln Gavel, the CBA President’s badge of office, from outgoing CBA President Daniel A. Cotter on June 25, 2015.

As the 139^th President of the CBA, Ms. Holmes is the second African-American woman to serve as president. She has been an active member of the CBA for nearly 30 years, most recently serving on the Board of Managers and as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Juvenile Justice.

“I am thrilled to have risen through the ranks of the CBA, having been a very active member since graduating law school. As only the second African-American woman and sixth African-American to be its president, I hope to focus on the relevance of the CBA to its many diverse members,” said Ms. Holmes of her new position. “Programs will focus on improving members’ effectiveness in the practice of law as well as the administration of justice in Chicago, our state, and the nation. It is important that we continue to plan for the future of the profession.”  

Before joining Schiff Hardin, Ms. Holmes served as an associate judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County for nine years. Her practice focuses on criminal and civil litigation, internal investigations, government investigations, and white collar crime. She has represented several high profile individuals and corporations. In addition to her practice, Ms. Holmes also serves as the firm’s Diversity Committee Chair.

“Patricia’s rise to president of the CBA reflects her devotion to excellence in the legal profession—a devotion her clients and colleagues cannot help but notice,” said Marci A. Eisenstein, the firm’s Managing Partner. “She continues to be a positive role model for all lawyers by mentoring and developing diverse talent, and dedicating her time to various pipeline organizations.”

In addition to her extensive law practice, Ms. Holmes also serves in a number of other professional and civic roles, including La Rabida Children's Hospital Board of Trustees, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, and as past president and founder of the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. In both 2011 and 2014, she was named one of the “Most Powerful and Influential Women in Illinois” by the National Diversity Council.