Hinshaw Partner Vincent Rizzo Named to Crain's Chicago Business' Notable LGBTQ Executives

The U.S. law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP today announced that partner Vincent Rizzo has been selected by Crain's Chicago Business as a 2021 Notable LGBTQ Executive.

Rizzo is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and is a member of Hinshaw's team responsible for obtaining 100% on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for the past 12 years. He holds several leadership positions at Hinshaw, including serving on the board of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, which provides diverse programming to raise LGBTQ awareness firmwide. Rizzo also leads the firm's LGBTQ+ Corporate Equality and Harassment Prevention Training Program and presents the training regularly to both clients and as part of the firm's new lawyer and staff onboarding orientation. He organizes and hosts an annual World AIDS Day event for the group. He is also a member of the faculty for Hinshaw University, which assists new attorneys in professional development and advancement, and a member of the firm's Associate Interviewing Committee, which is involved in the interview process for all non-partner attorneys.

Rizzo's practice focuses on employment and civil rights litigation. He defends entities and employees in claims related to Title VII, Section 1983, American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as well as personal injury and property damage claims. He also advises employers and employees on all aspects of the employment relationship—including employee misconduct and other disciplinary matters—spanning from hire through termination.

"Vincent is highly regarded in the Chicago area for his efforts to foster inclusion, promote diversity in all its forms and advance LGTBQ equality in our schools, businesses, and the community," said Hinshaw Chairman Peter Sullivan. "Our firm has benefited greatly from his efforts and leadership to promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture. We are thrilled that Vincent is among Crain's 2021 Notable LGBTQ Executives."

Before joining Hinshaw, Rizzo was Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Department of Law. He represented the City of Chicago and its employees in state and federal litigation involving civil rights violations in this role.

In addition to his active legal practice, Rizzo holds leadership positions in various organizations that benefit the minority and LGBTQ communities. As secretary of LAGBAC, Chicago's LGBTQ+ bar association, he leads the organization's work to unite and strengthen the LGBTQ+ legal community through mentorship, networking events, scholarships, and evaluations of candidates for judicial office. Rizzo hosts an annual vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance for LAGBAC and is also involved in their mentor program. He also annually presents at Lavender Law, the largest LGBTQ+ legal conference in the country, and is faculty for Lawline. Additionally, he is co-chair for both the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Network of the American Bar Association and Cook County Bar Association's LGBTQ+ Section.

Rizzo is also on the board of directors for Changing Worlds, which offers programming to Chicago schools that foster inclusivity, affirm identity, and enhance cross-cultural understanding.

Each year, Crain's Notable LGBTQ Executives recognizes leaders from various industry sectors, including law, finance, technology, media, nonprofits, and the arts. The honorees live and work in Chicago, serve in a senior role in their organizations, hold a senior leadership position outside of their companies, act as a mentor or role model, and have worked to advance their industries and workplace equality and civic engagement in Chicago.