San Bernardino Partner Rima Badawiya has been selected as a finalist for the Collaborative Leadership Award at the 2026 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards. A highly competitive nationwide accolade, this distinction honors attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding leadership by cultivating inclusive, high-performing work environments.
Initially founded in 2013, the WIPL Awards hosts an annual event to recognize and celebrate the legal excellence and exceptional achievements of the country’s top lawyers. This year, the event will take place in Chicago, Illinois during April and the winners will be announced on April 14, 2026.
With over 25 years of experience in the legal field, Rima currently serves as chief diversity partner, co-chair of the Medical Malpractice and Long-Term Care practices, and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. As a leader and as a litigator, Rima prioritizes collaboration, encourages open communication, and delivers strategic solutions — earning the trust of both clients and colleagues alike. This approach has been foundational to her success, allowing her to lead firmwide initiatives effectively and to foster an internal environment where all perspectives are valued.
In her role as co-chair, Rima aligns and unifies attorneys across jurisdictions through training, emphasizing partnership, and implementing client-focused strategies. Widely recognized for her deep proficiency in senior living, nursing home, and medical malpractice litigation, Rima has established a strong reputation for achieving favorable results through motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trial. She has successfully defended numerous cases involving professional negligence, elder abuse, sexual assault, fraud, and punitive damages.
In her capacity as chief diversity partner, Rima works with the firm’s marketing, administrative, and leadership teams to translate inclusion from an abstract concept into day-to-day operations — overseeing initiatives that elevate all voices within Lewis Brisbois. By choosing to lead by example and encouraging authenticity, Rima has played a central role in reinforcing employee belonging and strengthening mentorship across the firm, helping foster a sustainable culture of inclusion.
Over the past two decades, Rima has dedicated her time and energy to advancing mentorship, believing mentorship to be the cornerstone for both professional development and personal growth. She personally has guided dozens of attorneys through instrumental transitions, helping them pursue their careers and goals on their own terms. Partners she has coached, who now handle complex healthcare matters, credit her guidance for their readiness to lead.
“Rima leads by empowering others,” expressed Lewis Brisbois Partner Jennifer So, who has worked with Rima for nearly 20 years. “She does not dictate a path; instead, she instills the necessary judgment, confidence, and skills that allow attorneys to thrive on their own terms. Her guidance has been incredibly meaningful in my growth over these last 18 years, and her mentorship has helped many of us step into senior and leadership roles.”
As she remains dedicated to her colleagues and to her clients — consistently bringing integrity and collaboration to every aspect of her work — Rima continues to exemplify the steadfast caliber of our firm's inclusive, team-oriented values.
Please join us in congratulating Rima on this accomplishment! Learn more about her professional background and experience on our websitehere.