Clea Braendel

Clea represents AFS clients in a range of corporate and financial matters. Prior to joining the firm, Clea served as an Edward Coles Summer Fellow with the Illinois Human Rights Commission. In this role she researched and drafted recommendations to assist Commissioners in resolving discrimination appeals from both the Department of Human Rights and the Commission’s administrative law court. Earlier, she worked as a copywriter at a creative agency, developing campaigns for national food, consumer products, and healthcare brands. She holds a BA in Creative Writing with departmental honors, and her thesis received the David Blair McLaughlin Prize. This training underpins her clear, concise approach to advocacy and client communication.