Clive is the Managing Partner of the practice and Head of our Personal Injury Team. He has worked at Watkins & Gunn since he qualified as a Solicitor in 1991.
Clive is a Member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and a Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
He won the Leading Wales Award for Leadership in the Private Sector 2011. He was shortlisted for the Leader of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2011 and was a finalist in the Director of the Year in a Small Business category at the Institute of Directors Wales Awards 2012.
Clive is the President of the of the Cardiff and District Law Society, former President of Association of South Western Law Societies (ASWLS) and the Monmouthshire Incorporated Law Society. Clive is a member of the Intrepid Chapter of BNI, one of the top Chapters in the UK which meets at the Copthorne Hotel in Cardiff every Friday morning.
Clive was singled out for acclaim for his expertise in a variety of cases, including catastrophic injuries and psychiatric injury. Sources note that he is ‘very good at dealing with clients and defendants’.
Specialist Areas
Clive’s specialist areas are Personal Injury, Litigation and Business Law.
Experience
Clive also has extensive experience in Personal Injury litigation and employment law.
Employment Law – Clive has advised individuals, trade unions and small business clients for over 25 years in all aspects in relation to unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, settlement agreements, restrictive covenants and contractual disputes and industrial action.
Personal Injury – Clive has over 25 years experience of all aspects of personal injury with a particular emphasis on employers’ liability cases, complex multi-track cases including fatal accidents and brain injury cases.
Clive is a Member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and a Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Chambers & Partners
He is recommended as a leading Band 1 personal injury lawyer in the Chambers & Partners 2019 publication –
“Clive Thomas is praised primarily for his strength in brain injury and employers’ liability cases. One interviewee states: “He is very good at negotiating. He reaches settlements with the other side, and his client care is very good.” Another client highlights his strong expertise: “If we are dealing with something more complex, he is our guy.” – Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2018.
Clive is described as a “leading figure in the market, with extensive expertise in relation to employers’ liability cases” and that source say “he communicates well and is always very clear about what is required.” Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2019.
Legal 500
Professional Memberships
- Member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel
- Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyer
- Member of the Employment Lawyers Association
Professional Associations
Clive is very active within the profession. He is the President of Cardiff and District Law Society and a former President of the Monmouthshire Incorporated Law Society and the Association of South Western Law Societies (ASWLS). Clive is a keen networker and a member of the Intrepid Chapter of BNI, which meets at the Copthorne Hotel in Cardiff every Friday morning.
Outside Interests
Clive loves playing and watching rugby. He still turns out for Barry RFC Veterans. In 2016 he became a short-lived (as it turned out) Guinness World Record holder as part of the largest ever scrum! He also enjoys sailing in Cardiff Bay and golf. He also follows Cardiff City and very much enjoyed last seasons promotion campaign, in which Watkins & Gunn were sponsors of the club, and is looking forward to watch City in the Premiership this season. He sits on the Wales Committee of the Wooden Spoon, the Children’s Charity of Rugby, and devotes time to fundraise for the charity.
Recent Client Testimonials
“The service I received was professional and also sensitively approached we were informed at every single step of the way would always recommend Clive. If only there was more than a 5 star review available!”
“Although I have legal Insurance which I could have used, Clive Thomas came highly recommended to me. I was rather surprised when I received a reply within 20 minutes and I thought he must be very committed to his work as he’s not your average 9am to 5pm solicitor. I am the type of person who ask many questions and get frustrated if I don’t receive any updates, however Clive continued to demonstrate his commitment to my case. I did not receive any shock bills, it was exactly as stated from the outset. Clive did not give me any false expectations and I knew exactly where I stood from the beginning. I would have no hesitation recommending Watkins & Gunn. It was a first class service at a reasonable price and, of course, I was more than happy to have the outcome I was seeking.”
“I needed a local South Wales Solicitor and was recommended to use Clive Thomas at Watkins & Gunn. He helped to successfully resolve my employment issue by listening to my concerns and explaining how and what the law could do to help. Clive listened, assured and assisted with all the procedures that occurred and with the support of Clive and his team it was happily resolved. I cannot stress what a difference it made to have a solicitor who was both knowledgeable and considerate to help resolve my issues during what was a very stressful time. I cannot thank Clive enough for his assistance and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Watkins & Gunn in the future.”