Clifford Law Offices is Committed to Giving Back to the Community Through Law and Philanthropy
Clifford Law Offices’ philanthropy is a reflection of Robert A. Clifford’s professional values in law, ethics, philanthropy, and public service. Our firm recognizes and believes in its civic responsibility to support surrounding communities and extends our outreach beyond the courtroom walls.
Clifford Law Offices upholds the missions of numerous local and national programs ranging from educational funds and cultural organizations to the charitable and educational arms of hospitals and legal associations. Our attorneys contribute to the public good with the same talent and energy they provide to each client; generous with their time, experience, and knowledge to empower greatness and success in future generations of Chicagoans.
Pursuit of justice, social commitment, and philanthropic actions are necessary acts to extend to our community. Learn more about some of the many organizations we support.
Educational Programming
Community Service
Community Wellness
Youth & Education
Supporting the Legal Profession
Educational Programming
Clifford Symposium on Tort Law and Social Policy
In 1994, Robert A. Clifford endowed the Tort Law and Social Policy Chair at DePaul Law School, his alma mater, in the largest single gift to the school. In conjunction with his gift, Mr. Clifford and Clifford Law Offices have partnered with DePaul University College of Law to host the annual Clifford Symposium on Tort Law and Social Policy, a free two-day seminar that brings together thousands of attendees and features experts from around the country to debate issues important to the civil justice system.
To learn more about past symposiums, click here.
Clifford Law Offices Annual CLE Program
Since 2008, Clifford Law Offices has sponsored free continuing legal education (CLE) programs on a variety of professional responsibility and ethics subjects, from client communication and trial work to preparing witnesses and social media.
Approved by the State of Illinois as an accredited provider of mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) programs, Clifford Law Offices hosts a CLE event twice a year, exploring numerous unique and innovative topics over the decades, from “The Ethics of Client Communications” to “Five Things the Busy Lawyer Needs to Know to Stay Healthy.”
To learn more about Clifford Law Offices’ Continuing Legal Education initiatives, click here.
RAND Institute for Civil Justice
Robert A. Clifford is a supporter of the RAND Institute through years of advisory service as a member of the organization’s Board of Overseers. The RAND Institute for Civil Justice is focused on making the civil justice system more efficient and more equitable through objective, empirically based, analytic research.
To learn more about the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, click here.
American Writers Museum
Clifford Law Offices is an avid supporter of the American Writers Museum, which aims to educate and engage the public in celebrating the countless writers who have impacted American history, identity, culture, and our daily lives. The firm is a sponsor of the museum’s 2023 OnWord Annual Benefit, which supports the mission and efforts of the organization and honors local and young writers.
Joan Clifford, the wife of Robert A. Clifford and a career educator, sits on the Museum’s Board of Trustees, serving as the Benefit Events Leadership Chair.
To learn more about the American Writers Museum, click here.
National Hellenic Museum
John Kalantzis and Clifford Law Offices are proud to sponsor the annual National Hellenic Museum Gala, which serves as a fundraiser to support the museum’s mission to connect visitors to the legacy of Greek culture and history and the Greek story in America.
Robert A. Clifford, Sarah F. King, and James C. Pullos have participated in The Museum’s mock trial series, bringing historic Greek trials to life through a modern lens.
To learn more about the National Hellenic Museum, click here.
Southern Methodist University Annual Air Law Symposium
As a global leader in aviation law, Clifford Law Offices supports Southern Methodist University’s Annual Air Law Symposium, the world’s oldest and largest annual aviation law conference that brings together aviation lawyers and industry representatives to educate, debate, and discuss aviation events and laws that mold the aviation landscape.
In 2020, Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices and aviation attorney, spoke at the event on the topic of the ongoing Boeing 737 MAX Litigation. The firm continues its support of the SMU Air Law Symposium as a Gold Sponsor in 2024.
To learn more about SMU’s annual Air Law Symposium, click here.
McGill Air & Space Law Conference on Aviation Liability, Finance & Insurance
Clifford Law Offices is a Diamond sponsor of the 14th McGill Air & Space Law Conference on Aviation Liability, Finance & Insurance. The annual event brings together international leaders in aviation law and thought to discuss current and future topics of importance to the aviation industry and the flying public.
Since 2022, partners at the firm, including founder and senior partner, Robert A. Clifford, have contributed to conference discussions and expert panels. Tracy A. Brammeier, partner, joins a panel on “Liability of Air Carriers” at the 2024 conference.
To learn more about Clifford Law Offices’ contributions to the McGill Air & Space Law Conference on Aviation Liability, Finance & Insurance, click here.
Community Service
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation
Kevin P. Durkin, partner at the law firm, is an Executive Board Member of the Foundation and has long been a supporter of the non-profit organization.
Clifford Law Offices is a proud supporter of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the lives of fallen Chicago Police officers and assisting families of fallen and catastrophically injured officers through the Foundation’s Mission Beyond the Memorial program. The firm has contributed to the Memorial Foundation’s campaign for decades and was honored with the organization’s Person of Valor award in 2015. Clifford Law Offices participates in the Foundation’s annual Run/Walk To Remember, which raises money for the Mission Beyond the Memorial, and the firm has sponsored the Annual Valor Awards Luncheon.
To learn more about the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, click here.
Chicago Public Television & Radio
Robert A. Clifford has contributed to WTTW and WFMT for decades as part of his commitment to community involvement. Through the long-standing support of Mr. Clifford and Clifford Law Offices, WTTW, Chicago’s public television station, can provide closed-captioning on all public broadcasts. Mr. Clifford and Erin Clifford sit on WTTW’s Board of Trustees.
To learn more about WTTW, click here.
Misericordia
Misericordia is a Catholic Charity of the Archdiocese of Chicago that aims to improve the quality of life of city residents by providing care that maximizes the potential of persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged.
Susan A. Capra and Clifford Law Offices have supported the organization’s mission over the years through significant contributions to Misericordia’s Annual Benefit, the Misericordia Women’s League Benefits, and Misericordia’s Annual Family Fest, a celebration of games, food, and entertainment that helps maintain services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To learn more about Misericordia, click here.
Camillus House “The Auction”
Robert A. Clifford and his wife Joan have been longtime supporters of the Camillus House’s mission to provide support and resources to individuals and families who are poor and homeless in South Florida. Through their sponsorship of the organization’s annual fundraiser, “The Auction,” Bob and Joan contribute to the betterment of the lives of many.
To learn more about the Camillus House, click here.
Community Wellness
Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program
Erin Clifford and Clifford Law Offices are proud to support the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program and their mission to help lawyers, judges, students, and other law professionals seek information and assistance for alcohol abuse, drug dependency, or stress-related issues like anxiety, burnout, depression, and much more.
To learn more about the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program, click here.
The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine of Lake Forest Hospital
Clifford Law Offices is a proud supporter of The Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women’s Board and its efforts to provide fundraising, volunteerism, education, and advocacy for the hospital. The Board organizes fundraising events, including an annual benefit and a holiday boutique, to enhance the facilities and services of the hospital, helping to ensure that the highest quality of healthcare is available.
To learn more about Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women’s Board, click here.
Friends of Prentice
Clifford Law Offices is a sponsor of the Friends of Prentice, which works in partnership with Northwestern Medicine to make a tangible, measurable difference in women’s healthcare for women of all ages and stages in life.
Erin Clifford, Managing Director at Clifford Law Offices and founder of Erin Clifford Wellness, serves as a board member for Friends of Prentice to advocate for holistic health for women everywhere.
To learn more about Friends of Prentice, click here.
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Symposium
Clifford Law Offices is a sponsor of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine Symposium, “Mass Attacks in the United States: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here?” which brings together experts on the state of behavioral science regarding the known risk factors for mass attacks in public spaces and the implications for research, intervention, policy, and the criminal justice system.
To learn more about the symposium, click here.
Respiratory Health Association
An advocate for general health and bike safety, Clifford Law Offices is a sponsor of the Respiratory Health Association’s Annual CowaLUNGa™ Charity Bike Tour, which promotes active lifestyles for all as well as helps to keep others safe and healthy.
To learn more about the Respiratory Health Association, click here.
WINGS Program, Inc.
WINGS Program, Inc. is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that provides housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. The organization aims to create a society in which every domestic violence survivor has a voice and the resources to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Clifford Law Offices was an Event Sponsor of the Chicago Bar Association’s 2024 Domestic Violence Summit, benefiting WINGS and its programs. The program featured various panels on the current domestic violence problem in Chicago and the path forward through legislation and intervention.
To learn more about the WINGS, click here.
Youth & Education
The Diversity Scholarship Foundation
The Diversity Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to diverse and deserving law students in addition to presenting awards to individuals in the legal community who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the profession. The Unity Award Gala, now in its eighteenth year, is the foundation’s premier fundraising event.
Clifford Law Offices is proud to be a Bronze Sponsor of the 2025 gala event, extending the firm’s support to celebrate the next generation of Chicago lawyers and honor those already making an impact.
To learn more about The Diversity Scholarship Foundation, click here.
Lawyers Lend-A-Hand
Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization partnered with the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Chicago Bar Association that works with lawyer volunteers to provide educational opportunities, mentorship, and literacy tutoring to children in the Chicago area.
Erin Clifford and John Kalantzis have been involved with the program as volunteers, connecting with students in the program and providing insight into different perspectives of the city and the world. Clifford Law Offices is a continued sponsor of the organization’s events, including the annual Lend-A-Hand Spring Awards Dinner.
To learn more about Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth, click here.
Naples Children and Education Foundation
Robert A. Clifford was Chairman of the Board for the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), an organization that gives back to the community and “supports programs that improve the physical, emotional, and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children.” Mr. Clifford and his wife, Joan Clifford, are currently recognized as lifetime trustees after serving as trustees for more than a decade.
Bob and Joan chaired The Foundation’s Naples Winter Wine Festival in 2012, raising $12.2 million toward programs assisting at-risk and underprivileged children in southwest Florida.
Learn more about the Naples Children and Education Foundation here.
ChiArts
Clifford Law Offices is a proud supporter of the Chicago High School for the Arts, a public college-preparatory visual and performing arts high school that is dedicated to fostering scholar-artists through its intensive pre-professional training programs and comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum.
Having taught in the Chicago public school system, Erin Clifford, Managing Director at the firm, serves as a board member for ChiArts, promoting the educational mission of the school as well as the cultivation of the arts throughout the city.
To learn more about ChiArts, click here.
Marist High School
Robert A. Clifford, Marist High School Class of 1969, remains deeply connected to his educational roots, continuing to support the school’s academic and social needs through numerous philanthropic efforts. Mr. Clifford and his wife, Joan, invested in the school’s Faith and the Future campaign, which transformed the Marist Brothers’ Monastery into a 28,000-square-foot science center and planetarium. The forensics crime lab is named in their honor. In 2024, Bob presented the school with a $1 million gift to fund scholarships that will expand students’ access to a Marist education and all it offers.
To learn more about Marist High School, click here.
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Student Work Program
For decades, Clifford Law Offices has served as a Corporate Work Study Partner with the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Student Work Program, which provides professional work experience to students from Spanish-speaking families with limited financial means. The firm hires students each semester part-time and, later, as full-time employees at the firm.
Since 1996, Clifford Law Offices has worked with and trained over 120 students who participated in the program.
To learn more about the Cristo Rey High School Student Work Program, click here.
Iskali
Iskali is an Illinois-based non-profit organization that serves and empowers the young Latino population in the US to be active missionary disciples and transformative leaders within their communities through resources and programs that teach faith, skills, and personal development.
Clifford Law Offices is a St. Jude the Apostle sponsor of Iskali’s 2024 Celebrando la Juventud Gala, the organization’s annual fundraising Gala that directly benefits its programs for Hispanic young adults, including faith-based retreats, scholarships, mentorship, and sports programs.
To learn more about the Iskali, click here.
Supporting the Legal Profession
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
As an advocate for women in law and the advancement of the legal profession, Clifford Law Offices is a proud champion of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. The firm shows support through extensive involvement and contributions, including its role as the association’s Premier Sustaining Partner Sponsor for the 2024-2025 Bar Year.
Sarah F. King, partner at the firm and WBAI President, has been a leader in the organization, carrying on its mission to support and promote the interests and welfare of women lawyers. Sarah has also been instrumental as the WBAI’s arm of Women Everywhere, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for women and children in need across the Chicago area through education and community service.
To learn more about the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, click here.
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois
In its support of the association, Clifford Law Offices is proud to have sponsored multiple events that bring together community leaders, businesses, and donors throughout the Chicago area to raise funds for scholarships for deserving law students of Hellenic descent and honor the exemplary work of leading judges and attorneys.
To learn more about the Hellenic Bar Association, click here.
Illinois Bar Foundation
The Illinois Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the Illinois Bar Association, dedicated to providing legal services to families living below the poverty line, encouraging attorneys to provide pro bono services, and educating the public about their legal rights.
Robert A. Clifford is a supporter of the organization and has attended numerous events and fundraisers coordinated by the Foundation to further its mission.
To learn more about the Illinois Bar Foundation, click here.
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants promotes the professional advancement of registered nurses consulting within the legal arena by providing a forum for education, research, and exchange of information.
Keith A. Hebeisen and Clifford Law Offices proudly support the organization’s mission and efforts to provide medical consulting services on legal cases.
To learn more about the AALNC, click here.
American Bar Association
Clifford Law Offices is an ongoing supporter of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the organization’s efforts to promote legal excellence, education, and commitment to the pursuit of justice.
Robert A. Clifford served as Illinois State Delegate to the ABA House Delegate for three terms. He is a past chair of the ABA Litigation Section and has sponsored numerous events and held several leadership positions throughout the decades. He has served as a panelist for several continuing legal education events and chaired many committees throughout his involvement with the Association.
To learn more about the American Bar Association, click here.
The Chicago Bar Foundation
Clifford Law Offices continues to be a Cornerstone Sponsor of The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), a contribution designed to advance the organization’s mission by ensuring that the justice system is fair and accessible for everyone.
The firm also continues to be a strong supporter of the CBF’s Investing in Justice campaign. Robert A. Clifford is one of the founding and sustaining members committed to helping pro bono and legal aid organizations through this important community involvement program.
To learn more about The Chicago Bar Foundation, click here.
Chicago Bar Association
Both Robert A. Clifford and Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, have served terms as President of the CBA and held numerous leadership roles throughout their careers. Mr. Clifford is honored to be the 2024 inaugural recipient of the CBA’s Champion of Justice Award.
The firm is a proud sponsor of the CBA and The Chicago Bar Foundation’s Justice John Paul Stevens Awards, which honor Illinois attorneys who have demonstrated extraordinary integrity and service to the community throughout their careers.
Each Christmas season, Clifford Law Offices participates in the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section Letters to Santa Program, which serves the city’s underprivileged children and families. The firm’s staff answers letters written to Santa by local boys and girls and delivers gifts before Christmas so the children can put them under their trees at home. In 2024, the firm answered letters for an entire kindergarten classroom.
To learn more about the Chicago Bar Association, click here.
Lawyers’ Assistance Program
Clifford Law Offices supports the mission of the Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP), which provides support to lawyers, judges, and law students seeking information and assistance for alcohol abuse, drug dependency, or stress-related issues like anxiety, burnout, depression, and more. The firm has repeatedly sponsored the organization’s annual fundraiser to aid countless legal professionals across the state in gaining access to individual and group therapy, assessments, education, peer support, and intervention.
Erin Clifford, Managing Director at Clifford Law Offices and corporate wellness consultant and coach at Erin Clifford Wellness, strongly advocates for mental health awareness in the legal industry. She actively promotes LAP’s work to provide attorneys and other legal professionals with access to essential mental health resources.
To learn more about the Lawyers’ Assistance Program, click here.
Illinois Judges Foundation
Established in 2007, the Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF) is the charitable arm of the Illinois Judges Association. It funds educational, Civic, and scholarship projects that advance the rule of law, the legal profession, and the administration of justice, encouraging the participation of active and retired judges in these endeavors.
In alignment with Bob Clifford’s vision for the continual growth and improvement of the legal profession, Clifford Law Offices supports the IJF’s efforts by sponsoring its Annual Reception.
To learn more about the Illinois Judges Foundation, click here.
Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter
Clifford Law Offices supports the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter as a silver sponsor of its 2025 Federal Bar Foundation fundraising event, “Restoring Lives: A Reception for the Federal Problem-Solving Courts Foundation.” The Foundation provides critical funding for the Northern District of Illinois Restorative Justice Courts.
To learn more about the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter, click here.
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Founded in 1960, the Northwest Suburban Bar Association promotes the success of the legal community throughout the Chicago suburbs by offering continuing legal education opportunities, leading service efforts, and cultivating legal guidance and support for attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals.
Clifford Law Offices is a gold sponsor of the organization’s 2025 annual Judges’ Night, which honors recipients of various leadership and service awards and scholarship recipients within the community.
To learn more about the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, click here.
