Claire
Acklam

Claire is a Director in Walker Morris’ Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team. Her work is varied, with a mix of clients that includes lenders, energy suppliers, the food and drink sector and manufacturing, but typically covers general contract and commercial disputes. Claire also has a lot of experience acting for housebuilders in disputes involving contracts, injunctions, professional negligence and contractual interpretation.

Achieving a good result for the client is the most rewarding part of the job for Claire, who also enjoys the pre-issue advisory work – which is fascinating from a strategic perspective.

“Being part of the Walker Morris team and working with colleagues across a variety of practice areas enables me to provide relevant advice to meet the client’s aims and objectives.”

A long-term approach

Describing her approach to client work, Claire says “I work with clients to understand their business needs and objectives. It’s important I understand where they want to end up by pursuing a dispute, or what a resolution could look like”. Her focus, though, is always on trying to find a commercial solution to resolving the client’s dispute and building long-term relationships with them.

Claire knew she wanted to be a lawyer since she was a teenager and she joined Walker Morris in 2012 as a paralegal, before starting her training contract in 2013. Claire qualified into the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team in 2015 and became a Director in the team in 2021.

A member of the Women in Leadership group and a Diversity Champion, supporting and mentoring junior members of the Walker Morris team is an important part of Claire’s role.

Complex technical and legal issues

Claire has been involved in cases with complex technical and legal issues, including the manufacturing, house building, energy and care home sectors where she has acted for a number of large national and international businesses.

Described by her clients as “a safe pair of hands” Claire is skilled at getting into the detail of matters to fully understand her clients’ position and prides herself on her ability to build a good rapport from the outset.  She is known for her friendly and unflappable approach, combined with pragmatic advice and a sharp sense of the commercial.