R&B Partner Michael E. Holden’s approach to his work is methodical, committed and smart, and he lets his results do the talking. Since joining the firm as a law clerk more than 15 years ago, he has risen through the ranks and been a dependable force, ultimately being named Partner in 2021. He plays a leadership role in the office, mentoring and supporting younger attorneys and conveying his deep knowledge about personal injury litigation.

Michael’s practice is primarily focused on transportation and car accidents, workplace injury, premises and product liability, nursing home abuse and medical malpractice, including birth injuries. All of his clients are treated with the same respect and dedication, no matter the scope of the case.

Throughout his tenure at R&B, Michael has successfully worked on cases resulting in verdicts and settlements larger than $1 million, including:

• $50 million settlement for the wife of a worker who died following a workplace injury in 2016
• $30 million for a family whose son was left permanently disabled and brain-injured as a result of 25 experimental surgeries
• $22.3 million for the family of a young boy who lost his leg due to medical malpractice
• $12.5 million on behalf of the family of a woman whose doctors failed to diagnose her breast cancer in a timely manner, leading to her death at 37-years-old
• He is active in professional organizations, serving as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He has also written and spoken on topics related to personal injury litigation for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Chicago Bar Association, Stafford Continuing Legal Education and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Michael answered a few questions about his work and his life away from the office:

Do you feel the practice of law has changed in the last two years, or are the fundamentals still the same as pre-pandemic?

“Over the course of the pandemic, the fundamentals of the practice of law have been significantly altered; both in how a case is litigated and the considerations that must be made in the evaluation and prosecution of cases. For example, the pandemic has forced a shift in the willingness of judges, attorneys, and litigants to video conference for many activities that were previously in person. While this certainly conveniences all participants, it sacrifices some of the interpersonal aspects of litigation that cannot be replicated in a remote setting. Further, it remains to be seen how the pandemic has impacted jury perception in all cases, but especially in cases where medical treatment is called into question.”

As a new Partner of the firm in 2021, what career development advice do you have for younger attorneys?

“First and foremost, to excel in a legal career young lawyers need to find an area of practice that they believe in which they can become intellectually engaged and which raises a sense of passion for their clients and their cause. Secondly, young lawyers need to recognize that the practice of law is something that will continually challenge you to perfect your skills. They need to be willing to learn from experienced attorneys, peers, and adversaries to adapt their skills in a way which best serves their clients without sacrificing any of their beliefs compromising who they are. The best attorneys, especially in a litigation setting, are those who are genuine to themselves, but are always willing to improve.” 

If you could spend weekend time any way you like, what would you do?

“Since becoming a dad, I’ve become more and more involved in youth sports in Park Ridge and coaching my son’s various sports teams. A lot of weekend time has found itself dedicated to going to youth baseball and football games. When I’m not coaching, it’s hard to beat a weekend road trip to a Wisconsin lake or heading up to Milwaukee to catch a Brewers game with family and friends.”

Read more about Michael's from his bio.