Clare is a partner in our Commercial team specialising in Higher Education, with over 20 years of experience working in-house. 

Having worked in higher education since 2006, Clare has experience of advising on legal, governance, compliance and regulatory issues affecting the HE sector. She has successfully led the legal work on strategic projects and built and led successful legal teams.  

Prior to joining VWV, Clare was most recently General Counsel (interim) at the University of Bristol. This role included providing legal advice to a range of stakeholders including the Executive Board and Board of Trustees, their members and committees. The legal team were awarded Team of the Year 2025 (AULP).  

With a particular passion for complex projects her portfolio includes leading the legal workstreams for Bristol’s Isambard-AI supercomputer and Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus as well as advising on other transactions including educational collaborations, complex IT procurement, IP, construction and property-related matters and education-related regulation. 

Clare brings a collaborative approach and depth of HE sector knowledge. Clare is also a qualified Legal Project Practitioner. 

Based in our Bristol office, Clare can support you nationally.

 

Clare is brilliant to work with - calm, intelligent, thoughtful and knowledgeable. She steps into challenges and applies herself to them incredibly well.

Chief Operating Officer & Registrar, University

What others say

"Her calm leadership, sound judgement and unwavering professionalism have made a tangible difference to the effectiveness of the University's legal team and to the success of the University as a whole." - Colleague

What you might like to know

In her spare time, Clare likes being active (especially outdoors), sings with a community choir and is refreshing her Welsh.  She has also been a school governor of a local primary school. 

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Contact Clare Smith

Get in touch to discuss how they can support you with clear, practical legal advice.

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