October 23, 2026
Michelle Mittelman
Two Foresters, one legal legacy: Brian Clauss ’86 and Whitney Atkins ’07
Brian Clauss ’86 and Whitney Atkins ’07 first met at the John Marshall Law School, where Clauss was a professor supervising Atkins’s work in the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic.
Nearly two decades later, their paths crossed again through their shared experience in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where a lasting mentorship grew into friendship and professional collaboration.
Their career paths took different turns but eventually led them to the same place. Clauss transitioned from felony trial work to the Labor & Employment Litigation Division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he found an opportunity to apply his courtroom experience to civil law. He eventually left the office in 2004 to develop his own labor arbitration and mediation practice.
Years later, Atkins joined the same division in Cook County, following a path that echoed Clauss’s earlier experience. Though they never worked at the State’s Attorney’s Office at the same time, they discovered an unexpected connection: Atkins had landed in the very unit Clauss once called home—and may even have occupied his former office.
“I thought, ‘Hey, labor employment! That is really marketable outside of the State’s Attorney’s Office,’” Atkins recalled, reflecting on the value of the experience for her long-term career.
Both found the Labor & Employment Division to be a rewarding place to build their legal skills. Today, that shared experience offers common ground for continued mentorship and professional exchange.
A Forester foundation
Clauss and Atkins’s professional connection is strengthened by another shared experience: Lake Forest College.
Clauss credits the College with teaching him to communicate across differences and find common ground with people from different backgrounds. Atkins points to the liberal arts curriculum, particularly its emphasis on writing and critical thinking, as preparation for the demands of legal practice.
“By virtue of critical thinking being inherent in writing, and Lake Forest requiring a lot of writing, my critical thinking and writing skills ended up being really solid,” Atkins said.
Neither initially followed a straight path to law. Atkins first considered business, finance, and human resources, while Clauss once envisioned a career as an Army officer. Their unexpected turns ultimately led them to meaningful careers in public service.
Left: Whitney Atkins '07 at her law school graduation. Right: Atkins serving as a judge for the Lake Forest College Mock Trial team in fall 2025.
Lessons in listening
Today, their relationship extends far beyond their shared professional experience. They exchange career advice, talk about family and life outside of work, and continue to find opportunities to connect. What began with a professor guiding a law student has grown into a lasting friendship between two Foresters united by a commitment to public service.
For Atkins, one of the most valuable lessons from their relationship is simple: pick up the phone. A direct conversation can often resolve a difficult situation more effectively than a lengthy email chain.
Clauss, now an arbitrator and mediator, offers similarly straightforward advice: “Two ears, one mouth.”
“Just shut up and listen,” he explained. “You talk with people, not to them, and not at them.”
For both, years of navigating complex disputes have reinforced the importance of listening to build trust—whether in the courtroom or in everyday life.
Their story is a reminder that the relationships formed along the way can be just as meaningful as the destinations themselves. Sometimes, the people who help shape your career early on become the colleagues, mentors, and friends who continue to walk alongside you for years to come.
Left: Brian Clauss '86 with his neice and fellow Forester Sophia Lombardo '26. Right: Whitney Atkins ’07 with Former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
Mentor the next generation of Foresters
Alumni can make this same kind of lasting impact on today's Foresters. Through the Gorter Family Center for Career Advancement, alumni can become Pathway Affiliates, sharing their professional expertise, offering career guidance, and helping students envision what’s possible beyond campus.
Consider giving back by becoming a mentor and helping the next generation of Foresters find their way. Click here to learn more and become a Pathway Affiliate.