Vincent G. Rinn

Mary and Vincent G. Rinn Endowed Scholarship

In 1977, Vincent G. Rinn (JD ’31) and his wife Mary created a scholarship fund to provide support for law students. The Vincent G. Rinn Law Library at DePaul University recognizes its namesake’s positive impact on the College of Law, as well as the law profession. Both the scholarship and library are intended to aid law students throughout their education.

Rinn was born and raised in the suburbs north of Chicago. He attended law school at DePaul in the late 1920’s and was an accomplished student. He was in the top 7% of his law class, received several awards and participated in many extracurricular activities.

During his time at the university, Rinn was the President of Pi Gamma Mu, DePaul’s honorary fraternity chapter, a member of the Illinois Chapter of the National Social Science Honor Society, and an officer in Delta Theta Phi – Clerk of Exchequer. Rinn was also an active member on the Student Activity Council. He served as, a representative for the Department of Law his freshman year, and as a representative for the Department of Commerce his sophomore year. Additionally, Rinn was elected as Treasurer of his pre- legal class. He was described as having an edge over the rest of the student body.

In his junior year, Rinn was awarded the Honor Key by Lambda Gamma Phi Legal Fraternity. This award was given annually to members of the junior class ranking highest in scholarship, leadership and promise of future usefulness. Rinn was the fourth person to receive this coveted key. He was also a member of Delta Theta Phi Fraternity, president of Phi Gamma Mu Honorary Fraternity and won seven annual awards for excellence in scholarship.

After graduating in 1931, Rinn remained an active alum at DePaul. When he was not pursing his trial and estate practice career, he served on many boards and committees at DePaul and professionally. He was chairman of the personal injury practice committee, an assistant chairman of the Loop section for the DePaul Development Program, and a member of the taxation committee, legal aid committee, lectures & discussion committee, unemployment compensation committee, admissions committee, legal education committee, and unauthorized practice committee. Furthermore, Rinn was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago.

Besides being an active alum and professional member of various committees, Vincent had several major clients such as Northern Trust Bank/O’Hare, Northern Trust Company Chicago, NBD Park Ridge Bank, NBD Trust Company, and the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Rinn, joined by his two brothers who were also DePaul law graduates as well, opened the Owens, Owens, and Rinn Ltd. law practice.

One third of the lawyers were DePaul graduates. The law firm was dedicated to supporting DePaul as much as possible.