Samuel Rhymes
Sam is committed to listening to and understanding his clients' needs and believes the best way to meet them is to prepare for any outcome and develop a practical, comprehensive case strategy.
- Former Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office
- Former Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Human & Civil Rights Law Review
- Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services’ Distinguished Civilian Award Recipient
Samuel Rhymes
Attorney in Springfield, IL
When a dispute becomes complicated, Samuel Lewis Rhymes helps clients find a clear path forward. As an associate in Heyl Royster’s Springfield office, Sam represents clients in civil rights and correctional healthcare litigation, employment and labor matters, professional liability claims, and general civil disputes. He begins every engagement by listening closely, identifying core priorities, and building a strategy tailored to each client’s goals. Sam is known for his social ingenuity, his ability to connect with others, dealing with complex interpersonal dynamics, and fostering collaboration, which helps him deliver creative solutions in challenging situations.
Before joining Heyl Royster, Sam served in the General Law Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, managing cases from inception through resolution in Illinois state courts, U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, and administrative tribunals statewide. Notably, he achieved favorable outcomes for many clients through summary judgment, voluntary and involuntary dismissals, and settlements.
Sam earned his J.D. from Howard University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Human & Civil Rights Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Political Science.
Sam exemplifies courage and composure under pressure. In 2022, when his parents were trapped in a house fire, he acted without hesitation, rescuing them from immediate danger. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services honored him with its Distinguished Civilian Award, the agency’s highest civilian distinction.
Outside the office, Sam travels, plays piano, sings, crochets (his latest hobby), and helps his community. He enjoys appointments to the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee and Justice for All Committee, sits on the Board of Directors of Black Lives Matter Springfield, and leads the music ministry at Capital City Church of God. He has spoken in Austria, Ireland, Italy, and India on civil and human rights and lawyer wellness. Samuel believes that seeing new facets of the world allows him to adopt and adapt to new perspectives, which ultimately makes him a better advocate for his clients.
Practices
Credentials
Education
J.D., Howard University School of Law
B.A., Georgia State University, magna cum laude
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
State Courts of Illinois
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Professional Affiliations
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Young Lawyers Committee
Justice for All Committee
Community Involvement
Black Lives Matter Springfield, Board Member
Capital City Church of God, Music Ministry Leader
Languages
English, Spanish
Presentations/Publications
Presentations
“Beyond Distortion: Analyzing the Impact of Misrepresentations of International Law in International Conflict,” Symbiosis Law School, Pune (2026)
“Grief, Loss, and Private Ordering: How Personal Trauma Shapes Professional Relationships and Legal Practice,” Private Law and Multicultural Identities Retreat, Arona, Italy (2026)
“Emancipation Through Education: How Law Forbade Black Education—and Why That History Still Matters,” 10th Global Meeting of the Slavery Past, Present, Future International Symposium, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (2026)
“Healing Hidden Wounds: Reframing Contemporary Grief Models for the Descendants of Slaves,” 8th Global Meeting of the Slavery Past, Present, Future International Symposium, University of Vienna, Austria (2024)
Publications
"Balancing the Scales of Justice: A Handbook for Community Organizing," National Conference of Black Lawyers (2024)
Public Profile
When a dispute becomes complicated, Samuel Lewis Rhymes helps clients find a clear path forward. As an associate in Heyl Royster’s Springfield office, Sam represents clients in civil rights and correctional healthcare litigation, employment and labor matters, professional liability claims, and general civil disputes. He begins every engagement by listening closely, identifying core priorities, and building a strategy tailored to each client’s goals. Sam is known for his social ingenuity, his ability to connect with others, dealing with complex interpersonal dynamics, and fostering collaboration, which helps him deliver creative solutions in challenging situations.
Before joining Heyl Royster, Sam served in the General Law Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, managing cases from inception through resolution in Illinois state courts, U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, and administrative tribunals statewide. Notably, he achieved favorable outcomes for many clients through summary judgment, voluntary and involuntary dismissals, and settlements.
Sam earned his J.D. from Howard University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Human & Civil Rights Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Political Science.
Sam exemplifies courage and composure under pressure. In 2022, when his parents were trapped in a house fire, he acted without hesitation, rescuing them from immediate danger. In recognition of his extraordinary bravery, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services honored him with its Distinguished Civilian Award, the agency’s highest civilian distinction.
Outside the office, Sam travels, plays piano, sings, crochets (his latest hobby), and helps his community. He enjoys appointments to the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee and Justice for All Committee, sits on the Board of Directors of Black Lives Matter Springfield, and leads the music ministry at Capital City Church of God. He has spoken in Austria, Ireland, Italy, and India on civil and human rights and lawyer wellness. Samuel believes that seeing new facets of the world allows him to adopt and adapt to new perspectives, which ultimately makes him a better advocate for his clients.
