Connie Montoya and Carlos Ortiz Named to Lawyers of Color's Inaugural "Nation's Best" List

The law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that partners Connie Montoya and Carlos A. Ortiz were recently named to the Lawyers of Color's inaugural "Nation's Best" list in the Eastern and Midwest regional categories, respectively. The list recognizes senior-level attorneys who have achieved noteworthy accomplishments in their field and demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Honorees were selected by a committee formed by Lawyers of Color, consisting organization members along with other diverse leaders and advisors. Those selected for inclusion on the list were recognized at regional receptions held across the United States.

Montoya brings nearly two decades of class action experience to her trial and litigation practice in employment law and consumer protection defense. A longstanding member of Hinshaw's LGBTQ Affinity Group, Montoya is also a member of the firm's Diversity Committee. She is also involved in a number of professional organizations, including the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York and the National Association of Women Lawyers, where she serves as Co-Chair of the group's Diversity Committee. Montoya received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of New York.

Ortiz focuses his practice in consumer financial services, class actions, and immigration. Having been with Hinshaw for more than 15 years, Ortiz is an integral part of the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. He is also an active member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association, where he served as president. He currently sits on the Advisory Council for the Political Science Department at Northern Illinois University. Ortiz obtained his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, Wisconsin, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. District Court for the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin.

Founded in 2008, Lawyers of Color is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities.