Marilee Clausing
Marilee Clausing
Managing Partner
Chicago, IL
mclausing@hpslaw.com
312.267.6340 (direct)
630.805.1508 (alternate)
HIGHLIGHTS
HPS Managing Partner
Decorated trial lawyer who is among the nation’s top birth trauma and medical malpractice defense attorneys
BIOGRAPHY
Marilee Clausing is the rare trial attorney whose skill and success in the courtroom is matched by her leadership beyond its doors.
In court, Marilee represents hospitals and healthcare providers in catastrophic, high-exposure cases, many involving birth trauma or neonatal and pediatric negligence. Her approach in such cases is rooted in both legal and medical expertise.
Marilee worked for several years as an obstetrical nurse before becoming a lawyer. That range of insight, combined with the extraordinary preparation that has become another of her trademarks, has led to extensive success at trial and established Marilee as one of the nation’s premier medical malpractice defense attorneys. She was part of the inaugural class to receive a “Salute! Women in Law” award from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in 2020, and also has been honored by the Jury Verdict Reporter with a Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for Career Achievement, in recognition of consistency in delivering exceptional results for her clients in trials with high verdict potential.
Marilee is a celebrated leader and mentor who developed HPS’s Birth Trauma Team in 2015 and now guides the firm as its managing partner. In the latter role, she provides leadership, direction and operational oversight to HPS offices nationwide. She works with the Executive Committee and Equity Partnership to develop the firm’s vision and strategic plan, and also oversees the plan’s implementation. Central to that vision is an ongoing commitment to excellence, tireless client service, and a focus on training and mentorship for HPS’ next generation of attorneys.
“What defines HPS is a combination of excellence and a culture of collegiality and friendship,” Clausing says. “That culture is truly special, and it is what keeps the group working together as effectively as we do.”
Marilee grew up in Chicago’s southwest suburbs and earned her undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, then worked for several years as a nurse in both Illinois and New Jersey. She continued part-time nursing work even after enrolling at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. Despite that busy schedule, she excelled at DePaul, graduating with honors and serving as editor-in-chief of the DePaul Law Review.
After graduation, Marilee joined the Chicago office of law firm Locke Lord, then called Lord Bissell & Brook, where she remained for 15 years. During her time there, she was named an equity partner and established herself as one of Chicago’s top trial attorneys. She moved to another prominent medical malpractice defense firm in Chicago, before leaving to join HPS in 2015.
Marilee’s accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from America’s Top 100 Attorneys. She also has been recognized by her peers as both a Leading Lawyer and a Super Lawyer, and LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell has given her an AV Preeminent Rating, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Marilee is a nationally renowned speaker on obstetric risk management and related legal issues, and sits on the board of the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
CREDENTIALS
EDUCATION
DePaul University College of Law, J.D., with honors (1985)
Marquette University, B.S., cum laude (1978)
BAR ADMISSIONS
Illinois
Wisconsin
COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Illinois Supreme Court
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
American Board of Trial Advocates
Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers
American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management
Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society
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