Carolyn Welch Clifford
Carolyn Welch Clifford has devoted her legal career to the representation of local governments in Illinois with a special emphasis on legal issues involving the fire service. In her practice, Ms. Clifford primarily represents public pension funds, fire and police commissions, and fire protection districts. In her practice, Ms. Clifford is actively involved in legal issues regarding the management of public pension funds. Ms. Clifford has extensive experience in handling firefighter and police disability pension matters from the initial hearing stage to appellate review. Her experience with employment matters from the initial hiring stage through disability and retirement provides her a unique perspective in advising clients. Ms. Clifford has handled a number of appellate cases and argued before the Illinois Appellate Court. Her appellate cases have included several issues of first impression. Ms. Clifford is the editor of the firm’s newsletter, Legal Insights for Pension Boards. She contributes articles to a variety of publications. Ms. Clifford is a frequent speaker on pension and employment issues, and developed and served as a lecturer for two modules of Northwestern University’s 32-hour public pension trustee training course. Ms. Clifford is an active member of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys and serves on its Public Safety Affinity Committee. Ms. Clifford received her J.D. from the University of Illinois, and has been admitted to the bars of the State of Illinois and the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.