Our Story

Mike Mulhern and Tim Reynolds, Co-Founders and Principals of Clover Lane Partners LLC, became good friends while attending the University of Notre Dame Law School.  Following graduation in 1986, Mike and Tim chose different paths to begin their legal careers.

Mike joined the international law firm, Winston & Strawn LLP where he focused his practice in labor and employment relations.  Over the next 31 years, Mike advised companies on countless and wide-ranging employment matters.  He also taught classes in human resources management and employment law at graduate business schools, professional conferences, and continuing education seminars.

Tim entered the Office of the Illinois Attorney General in the Criminal Trials and Prosecution Division.  After 9 years, Tim joined a fast-growing retail business where he would serve in multiple positions over the next 20 years, including District Manager, Regional Manager, Chief Human Resources and People Officer, and General Counsel. 

From their different positions and perspectives, Mike and Tim each observed the critical impact that managers at all levels can have on the success or failure of a business, as well as the essential skills they need to perform the “people aspects” of their position. 

All too often, the root cause of serious business problems – including, decreased productivity, repeated errors and mistakes, bad hiring decisions, poor employee relations, damaged customer relationships, high staff turnover, workplace conflict, and even declines in revenue – could be traced to managers who either lacked or failed to properly exercise those skills.  In many cases, those managers had never been in leadership positions and simply were not prepared to handle their new responsibilities. 

Mike and Tim also came to recognize that the skills needed to manage and lead people are not always intuitive and should not be left to chance.  Instead, businesses that want their managers to perform at high levels need to provide appropriate training and support. 

More than 30 years after graduating law school, Mike and Tim were each considering opportunities to support business organizations beyond the practice of law.  Because of their common professional experiences, shared philosophy about employee management, and passion for education and training, they founded Clover Lane Partners, LLC, a firm committed to helping businesses prosper by teaching the people skills that managers need to lead teams and drive performance.

Principals

Mike Mulhern is Co-Founder and Principal of Clover Lane Partners LLC where he provides practical, experienced-based instruction and coaching through a variety of engaging workshops and programs, each tailored to meet specific client goals and objectives.  

Prior to Clover Lane Partners, Mike was an associate and partner for 31 years at the international law firm, Winston & Strawn LLP, concentrating his practice in labor and employment relations.  During that period, he represented public and private companies from a broad spectrum of industries on a wide range of employment matters, including litigation before state and federal courts, labor boards, government agencies and arbitrators.  He also provided day-to-day advice and counseling and worked with clients to develop preventative and risk-reducing strategies designed to advance core business objectives.  While at the firm, Mike was a regular speaker on employment-related topics at professional and trade association conferences and continuing education programs. 

For many years, Mike served as adjunct faculty at Benedictine University, where he taught graduate-level courses in human resources management.  In addition, he has lectured at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, the Graduate School of Management at Lake Forest College, and Loyola University Chicago. 

Mike is a long-time volunteer teacher at Chicago Public Schools in conjunction with the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago.  Additionally, he has served as a volunteer tutor at the not-for-profit organization, Horizons for Youth, and on the boards of multiple community/youth organizations.

Mike received a B.A., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He lives outside of Chicago with his wife and three children.

Tim Reynolds is Co-Founder and Principal of Clover Lane Partners LLC where he conducts practical and interactive workshops that help managers to develop professionally and positively impact their companies. He also offers keynote presentations on leadership, culture, and customer service.

Tim began his career as an attorney in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.  In 1995, he joined a developing family business called, Family Video.  At that time, the business consisted of 35 video stores in 3 states.  During Tim’s 20-year tenure with the company, Family Video’s business diversified and expanded to over 750 stores in 21 states, with more than 10,000 employees.

Tim served in many positions at Family Video, including as District Manager and Regional Manager.  During that period, he came to understand and learn, first-hand, the common challenges managers face on a daily basis.  Later, as the company’s Chief Human Resources and People Officer, Tim trained, coached and mentored thousands of managers on a wide range of practical skills that would help them, and the business, to thrive.  He believes there is tremendous power in collaboration and the recognition that none of us are alone in the areas we struggle with as managers.  

An experienced speaker, Tim has made hundreds of keynote presentations to managers and business leaders.  He also teaches “Introduction to Law” at Loyola University Chicago.

Tim received a B.A. from Georgetown University and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He lives outside of Chicago where he and his wife raised their five children.