Clare joined the practice in September 2004 after many years working as a divorce solicitor in private practice in Wakefield and Castleford. She is now one of the firm’s three owners. Clare has recently featured on TV as the lawyer/mediator for the Divorce Hotel where couples can experience a positive divorce over a weekend.
Clare is divorced, remarried and has four children, so she understands first-hand the traumas of relationship breakdown!
She has specialised in family law ever since qualifying as a solicitor, and particularly enjoys helping people find ways through their divorce or separation that don’t involve the courts. She says that having spent many years watching families being torn apart by the traditional court process, she chose to specialise in alternatives to court, which allow people to resolve issues in an amicable way that puts the interests of children first.
To do this, Clare has undertaken extensive training to become a qualified family mediator, collaborative family lawyer and family arbitrator – one of only a few in the country – and whilst she continues to deal with traditional family law cases, she increasingly spends her time engaged in family mediation, collaborative law and arbitration.
Clare is also developing her work in commercial property which is something she has always dealt with from time to time but sees as an area she would like to progress further. Together with Stuart Knox, Clare able to offer a truly personal commercial property service for business customers who value expertise and a personal service above all else.
In her spare time, when she’s not looking after her children, Clare is chair of governors at a local high school and also enjoys running, partying and cooking.
Qualified: 1995
Studied: BA (Hons) Law, Sheffield University
Qualifications & accreditations:
- Resolution accredited specialist
- Family mediator
- Collaborative family lawyer
- Family arbitrator
Awards: Yorkshire Lawyer Dispute Resolution award (2010)
WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT CLARE:
I found the whole mediation process to be of great benefit. Clare put us both at ease and I would definitely say our relationship as parents has improved since we came to mediation
Mrs R, Sandal, Wakefield
You helped my wife and I to understand the options available to us in relation to our finances and we were able to reach a compromise which was acceptable to us both. I cannot thank you enough and will definitely recommend you to my friends!
Mr A, Wakefield
When I first came to mediation I was worried about seeing my ex but Clare helped us to feel relaxed and by the end we had sorted most things out and were even able to share a joke or two, something we had not done for years
Mr H, Pontefract
My original solicitor, from years ago, was an absolute disgrace so I am so glad I found Clare. Your costs are also reasonable which made a big difference to me. There is nothing to improve with Thornton Jones Solicitors as everything is perfect as it is!
Julie Scott
Clare explained everything in detail including the cost. Thornton Jones provides excellent customer service.
Simone Taylor
