People You Should Know: Claire Manning

Claire A. Manning, who practices law with Brown, Hay + Stephens, LLP, an Illinois law firm whose roots date back to Lincoln, focuses her practice in the fields of environment and energy, natural resources, agriculture, and administrative law.  Having had key roles in government prior to entering private practice in 2002, including a decade as chair of the Pollution Control Board, Manning is recognized as one of the top environmental lawyers in Illinois. She currently chairs the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group for Meritas, a global alliance of leading independent law firms.

Manning has successfully represented clients in federal and state courts throughout Illinois and before a variety of state and federal administrative agencies. She regularly counsels clients regarding specific laws and legislation, assisting them in making and implementing strategic business decisions related to permitting, licensing, regulatory compliance, due diligence, and appeals of government administrative decisions.

Manning’s legal practice areas, as well as her Illinois farm heritage and love of food, have coincided with her interest in being involved with the Illinois State Bar Association’s new Food Law Section Council, which she now chairs. An active member of the bar, Manning has served on various bar committees, including: Judicial Evaluation for Judges Outside Cook County (Chair); Administrative Law (Chair); Women and the Law (Chair); Environmental Law; and Agricultural Law. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation, the Board of Trustees for Loyola Law School Alumni and the Board of Trustees of The Lincoln Academy. Previous Board capacities included Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.

Upon appointments by the Illinois Supreme Court, Manning had served in many capacities with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, including Chair of the Hearings Review Board. In 2007, Manning was awarded the prestigious Laureate Award from the Illinois bar, an honor bestowed on lawyers “who have established and maintained the highest principles of the profession as demonstrated by their pervasive record of service to the law and the public.”