Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Vincent M. Rizzo

Vincent M. Rizzo

Partner

He/Him

"The complexity of the law in the fields I practice challenges me to think both critically and creatively. What’s most rewarding is the direct impact my work has on clients, especially helping businesses and their employees navigate difficult situations."

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Photo of Vincent Rizzo

Vincent M. Rizzo

Partner

He/Him

"The complexity of the law in the fields I practice challenges me to think both critically and creatively. What’s most rewarding is the direct impact my work has on clients, especially helping businesses and their employees navigate difficult situations."

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Vincent M. Rizzo

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About Vincent

Vincent represents private and public entities in litigation involving employment disputes, tort defense, and constitutional claims. He litigates matters under Title VII, Section 1983, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), personal injury, and property damage cases. He has successfully tried numerous civil jury trials to defense verdicts and secured multiple favorable summary judgments.

His clients include Fortune 500 companies, school districts, and other state and local governmental entities. Vincent advises on all aspects of the employment relationship, from hire through termination, and counsels on employee misconduct, discipline, and compliance. He provides comprehensive workplace training and conducts internal investigations involving whistleblower allegations, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

Before joining Hinshaw, Vincent served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago Department of Law, where he represented the City and its employees in state and federal litigation involving civil rights claims, municipal prosecutions, and appeals.

Areas of Focus

Industries:

Services:

Experience

  • Obtained numerous dismissals and summary judgments in federal cases involving Title VII, ADA, and Section 1983, as well as in Illinois and California state cases involving state harassment/discrimination and whistleblower laws.
  • Negotiated countless, favorably low settlements on behalf of clients in federal cases involving Title VII, ADA, and Section 1983, as well as in Illinois and California state cases involving state harassment/discrimination, whistleblower, personal injury, and premises liability laws.
  • Successfully defended Fortune 500 companies in numerous personal injury cases alleging in excess of $1 million in damages for negligence and premises liability.
  • Counseled Fortune 500 companies in the hospitality and other industries on workplace compliance and best practices by updating all policies and procedures and providing training to all employees.

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022 – 2025; Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2022 – 2025
  • Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023
  • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine, 40 Under Forty – Illinois Attorneys to Watch, 2022
  • Crain's Chicago Business, Notable LGBTQ Executive, 2021

Credentials

Education

  • Michigan State University College of Law, JD, magna cum laude, 2013
  • Bradley University, BA, magna cum laude, 2010

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • US District Court for the Northern District of California
  • US District Court for the Southern District of California
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, including Trial Bar

Thought Leadership

Presentations

  • "2025 Human Resources Considerations for DEI Initiatives in Senior Living in California," National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day Forum, Alzheimer's Los Angeles and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2025
  • Co-Presenter, "Legal Updates: Employment and Contracts," LGBTQI CFO Network Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, December 6, 2024
  • "Human Resources Strategies for LGBTQ+ Elder Support: Employee Training and Proactive Policies and Procedures," National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day Forum, Alzheimer's Los Angeles and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2024
  • Co-Presenter, "Legal Jeopardy," Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators Annual Conference, Lisle, Illinois, January 27, 2023
  • "LGBTQ+ Issues in the Workplace," Real Time with IPELRA podcast, November 13, 2022

Blog Posts

Events

In The News

Insights for Employers Alert

Press Releases

Webinars

View all of Vincent's Insights

Interests

Did you know...

Vincent's all-time favorite hobby is traveling and exploring new cultures, cuisines, and history.

Community/Civic Activities

  • Chicago Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights, Pro Bono Volunteer
  • Heartland Alliance, Volunteer
  • Judicial Evaluation Committee, Evaluator
  • Lawline, Civil Rights Litigation, Faculty Member
  • Name Change Project, Pro Bono Volunteer

Thought Leadership

Presentations

  • "2025 Human Resources Considerations for DEI Initiatives in Senior Living in California," National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day Forum, Alzheimer's Los Angeles and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2025
  • Co-Presenter, "Legal Updates: Employment and Contracts," LGBTQI CFO Network Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, December 6, 2024
  • "Human Resources Strategies for LGBTQ+ Elder Support: Employee Training and Proactive Policies and Procedures," National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day Forum, Alzheimer's Los Angeles and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, California, May 16, 2024
  • Co-Presenter, "Legal Jeopardy," Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators Annual Conference, Lisle, Illinois, January 27, 2023
  • "LGBTQ+ Issues in the Workplace," Real Time with IPELRA podcast, November 13, 2022

Blog Posts

Events

In The News

Insights for Employers Alert

Press Releases

Webinars

View all of Vincent's Insights

Vincent's Insights

View All Vincent's Insights

LGBTQ+ Employment Law Roundup

Webinar

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | 12:00 p.m. Pacific

LGBTQ+ Employment Law Roundup

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