News Releases
Schiff Hardin LLP Mourns the Passing of Mitchell S. Rieger
Distinguished Attorney/Acclaimed Photographer
July 29, 2008
 Mitchell S. Rieger |
Career Highlights
Mr. Rieger's illustrious legal career spanned nearly 60 years and continued until the end of his life. Prior to joining Schiff Hardin as a partner in 1961, concentrating in general litigation, insurance, and securities and futures litigation, he was an associate at Rieger & Rieger (1950 to 1954), an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois (1954 to 1960 – Chief, Tax Division, 1954 to 1955; Chief, Criminal Division, 1955 to 1958; and First Assistant, 1958 to 1960); and Associate General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1960 to 1961).
At a time when many other lawyers would be satisfied to enjoy retirement, Mr. Rieger volunteered to assume Schiff Hardin’s Conflicts Screening Partner position, serving as the gatekeeper for all new matters coming to the firm from existing and new clients.
Mr. Rieger was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1980 and served for five years on its Legal Ethics Committee and for five years on its Illinois State Committee. He was President of the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (1959 to 1960) and National Vice President of its 7th District (1960 to 1961). He was "AV Peer Review Rated" [highest rating] in Martindale-Hubbell and listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law. Mr. Rieger also taught personal property and partnership courses at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago from 1952 to 1954.
Salutes from Firm Management
Robert H. Riley, Chairman of Schiff Hardin, recognized Mr. Rieger's contributions to Schiff Hardin, "Mitch was a transitional figure in the firm's litigation practice and the epitome of what it means to be a valued partner and friend. While we will miss him greatly, he left an indelible mark on our firm."
Ronald S. Safer, Managing Partner of Schiff Hardin, likewise acknowledged what Mr. Rieger meant to the community and the firm, "Mitch was not only a giant at Schiff Hardin, but a giant in the Chicago legal community. He served the government at the highest levels, and never stopped being a public servant. Our community owes him a great debt, one that continued to grow until his death."
Education
Mr. Rieger graduated from Harvard Law School (J.D., 1949) and Northwestern University (A.B., Economics, Phi Beta Kappa, 1944).
Community Service
Mr. Rieger was a past member of the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee Chair of the Chicago Crime Commission. He also was a Past President of the Park View Home for the Aged, operated by the Jewish Federation of Chicago.
Military Service
Mr. Rieger served his country as a navigator and commander in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater in World War II.
Renowned Photographer
Mr. Rieger's passions for the law and community service were matched by his talents and achievements as a photographer. Many of his photos grace Schiff Hardin's halls in the firm's headquarters office at Sears Tower in Chicago, and he was lead photographer for Schiff Hardin's recruiting brochures in the early 2000s.
His work also is commemorated in his book, 68 Years of Photography, published in December 2007. That book a collection of photographs taken over the course of nearly seven decades while Mr. Rieger traveled the world photographing people, places and things. Those photos expressed Mr. Rieger’s unique insights on people and places. More information regarding the book and the book signing can be found at www.mitchrieger.com.
Mr. Rieger's work also was displayed at numerous Chicago and Vail-areas art gallery showings in past decades, as well as Schiff Hardin's first-ever Alumni Event in February 2008. In July 1996,the Chicago Tribune spotlighted Mr. Rieger and photos he took of Nagasaki as one of the first U.S. servicemen to enter that city after the atom bombing that helped bring about the end of World War II.
Family/Funeral Arrangements
Mr. Rieger was a resident of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. He is survived by his wife, Pearl, and numerous children, step-children, and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements and services take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 at Congregation Rodfei Zedek, 5200 South Hyde Park Boulevard in Chicago. Internment will be at the Memorial Park Mausoleum in Skokie. For more information, contact The Weinstein Funeral Home North Shore Chapel in Wilmette at 847.256.5700. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chicago Crime Commission, 79 West Monroe, #801, Chicago, Illinois 60015 or the Council for Jewish Elderly, 1345 West Jarvis, Chicago, Illinois 60626.
