More About Scott R. Clewis

Mr. Clewis began his legal career as Law Clerk to the late Hon. William J. Hibbler, U.S. District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois. He then worked as an associate and partner at two of Chicago’s largest and most elite personal injury law firms, where he obtained numerous substantial results exceeding $1 million, including a $4.1 million record-breaking jury verdict. For the last 15 years, he has successfully translated big firm experience into a “boutique” approach, where clients are provided more personalized service, more seamless communication, a more meaningful professional relationship with their attorney, and a more aggressive form of advocacy. In his experience, this has resulted in a higher quality of service for clients, and more meaningful results.

Prior to his 22-year career as a trial attorney, Mr. Clewis worked numerous years in private industry and government. He taught high school English to inner city students and ran a learning center for academically challenged students. He served six years as a college and university student affairs professional implementing student development programs and overseeing student conduct matters. He worked several years in government as a senior level executive overseeing staff and operations in the largest juvenile court system in the world serving on committees aimed at improving juvenile justice and child protection. In his teens and early twenties, he worked many years for the Clerk of the Circuit Court performing just about every line job from Court Clerk to File Clerk. He also worked as a union laborer. Proudly, Scott rose through the ranks giving him the texture and depth of experience to excel as a lawyer and represent clients of all backgrounds and needs.

Academically, Scott earned his law degree nights at Chicago-Kent College of Law, while working full-time days. Among his law school accomplishments, he earned the highest grade in the class in Legal Negotiations; was a semi-finalist in the law school appellate advocacy competition featuring every law student; was named to the Dean’s List for Academic Achievement; and graduated a 4-year program in 3.5 years while working full-time. Mr. Clewis focused his elective work primarily in trial advocacy and advanced evidence. In addition to earning a law degree, Scott holds a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from University of Pennsylvania; Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard University; Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Speech Communication from University of Illinois at Urbana; and he completed all coursework in the Master of Arts Program in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Mr. Clewis is also proficient in conversational Spanish.

In addition to his legal expertise, Mr. Clewis is an international expert in the science of psychological resilience. He is invited globally to deliver lectures and presentations helping students, businesses, and high-stress professionals overcome adversity and increase their chances of success. “Helping people overcome obstacles and challenges, and helping them pave a path to success, gives me tremendous gratification, and it makes me a better, more thoughtful lawyer.”

Mr. Clewis is a life-long Chicagoan, born and raised in the Jefferson Park neighborhood. He is exceptionally proud to represent clients and try to make the most meaningful difference in their lives. When asked about his love for the law, Scott said: “In high school and college, I always worked part time or full-time nights for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. I loved being in the courtroom interacting with judges and lawyers. I dreamed of representing my own clients, fighting aggressively for their rights, and winning their cases. Fulfilling that dream has been the thrill of a lifetime.”