Tom Bedford Partner, Clyde & Co LLP
Having recently met with many senior figures in the Bristol insurance market, we wanted to shine a light on solicitors’ liability and regulatory specialist, Tom Bedford, who joined Clyde & Co from DAC Beachcroft in 2024. Tom defends professionals, but especially solicitors, from claims, as well as investigations and prosecutions brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. His practice is varied, and he has defended national firms as well as smaller practices from claims arising across most practice areas. He has particular experience of group actions, including claims arising from investment schemes. Tom has also defended lawyers and firms from SRA investigations and referrals to the SDT. These cases often involve sensitive, health-related issues. He also advises insurers on policy coverage issues. He is ranked by both The Legal 500 (Tier 1, next generation partner) and Chambers (Band 2).
Tom sat down with George Molyneux Buckley to talk about his career to date and all things insurance...
About you and your team
When did you decide to specialise in defending solicitors, and what is it about this line of work that you enjoy?
I’ve been doing this work for almost 14 years, having started out acting for banks in claims against professionals, which was a huge area after the 2008 financial crisis. I enjoyed acting for banks, but I always fancied switching sides. That turned out to be a great decision.
The thing I love most about my job is that, almost always, my cases come from human stories. People think what I do is highly specialised, but there’s actually huge variety because solicitors do so many different things. It is such a privilege to be asked to advise them in tricky situations.
Whilst Clyde & Co is renowned for its insurance practice globally, the firm has had a presence in Bristol only since 2018 and its Bristol team is relatively small in comparison to some of its longer-standing competitors. Consequently, we have found that some junior lawyers in the local market don’t know a great deal about your team. When you were considering a move, what was it about Clyde & Co that drew you in?
Clyde & Co has always featured somewhere in my legal career. I’ve been on the other side, or acted for a co-Defendant, or worked alongside Clyde & Co on certain insurer panels. The Clyde & Co brand, particularly in insurance and professional services, is unrivalled in my view – I’d always respected the firm. When I was approached to join, it felt like a ‘no brainer’. Frankly, it was an opportunity I could not turn down.
After 18 months at Clyde, how did you find the move and, now that you have settled in, what are you excited about achieving over the coming years?
Moving firms can be stressful. The firm really supported me and I made new friends really quickly. I think that is what has surprised me the most – I expected the firm to feel ‘corporate’, for my partners to be focused on their own practices rather than supporting a newcomer like me and I thought, to be honest, that I would have less fun! Nothing could be further from the truth! I’m having a great time, I’ve learnt so much and my practice has grown and continues to grow – and that is my focus for the years ahead.
Most would agree that the strength of Clyde & Co’s brand is second to none. To what extent has the platform helped you to unlock doors that have previously proved difficult to open?
I always knew the brand could open doors but the “Clyde effect” has really helped me. More than ever, law firms have asked if they can work with me and our team, or I have been asked to contribute to projects and publications led by clients. I have been trusted, often for the first time, by some of the country’s largest law firms, or by very senior individuals. At Clydes, there are no barriers for me – which was the whole reason I felt it was time to move on from my last firm. I don’t feel secondary to someone else, like a more senior partner nor do I have to worry about politics.
Looking at the current market, what do the next 12 months look like for you and your team?
It’s looking busy! We’re seeing an increase in claims severity and complexity in professional services. Volumes also feel like they’re going up, partly because of AI – something that is sure to feature in our work. There’s lots of collaboration with clients, events, conferences – and I hope lots of laughs too. I would hope too that the next year will allow us to continue to recruit and – one of the best things – to promote..
We know that your partners are proud of your team’s commitment to Clyde’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy. It feels like there is no such thing as a ‘stereotypical Clyde lawyer’ and this is one of the great strengths of Clyde’s National Professional Indemnity team. Do you think that is fair?
I do. We’re all different. We all come from different walks of life and that’s important, not least because it means we can all bring a different perspective to our work and to the firm. It is really important that I can be myself – that we all can – and that is certainly the case here. The firm has many initiatives to make the law more accessible, and as someone who went to a comprehensive school and came from a single parent family/first generation to go to university, I think that is really important.
About the market
Behind London, Bristol is the country’s second largest hub for legal services relating to insurance disputes. Have you seen more ‘London work’ (in terms of complexity and claim values) come to Bristol as the years have gone by?
Yes, definitely. Whilst our London colleagues continue to work on some very impressive matters, and we work in partnership with them (particularly when it comes to helping manage client relationships and events), I have found that larger law firms want to work with lawyers based in the regions like me. I act for many firms, in fact, where some cases are done in London and some by us, in Bristol. I can’t actually think of a time when the value and complexity of the matters I am dealing with is like it is currently. Every day is a challenge – but in a good way!
The partnership in your team at Clyde & Co was until very recently limited to Equity Partners, but the firm has recently committed to adopting a new Salaried Partner role across its insurance division, which is a positive step. What are your hopes and expectations in this respect?
I think it is great that the salaried partner role will make becoming a partner more accessible. It isn’t about making it “easier”, but I think simplifying the process and recognising the huge talent we have in the pipeline. I am not particularly hierarchical – I don’t care about titles that much, but I do see that being a partner at our firm can help open doors. Some of my colleagues have the credibility to operate at that level, and if the firm can invest in them by making them salaried partners, then that’s brilliant.
What do you see as the largest challenges across the insurer market over the coming years?
I don’t want to sound like a cliché, but AI has to be one of them. When I talk about AI, it throws up more questions than answers. Exciting times ahead, if a little scary (but scary can be good, right?!).
We’re seeing more consolidation across so many sectors – insurance and legal included. That could lead to price pressures, less competition, a lack of investment in talent. All things to watch out for.
Finally, we continue to live in a complex world, and if anything it is sure to get more complex. That is going to mean the constant need to adapt, to respond to political, environmental and social change. I think, though, that new risks can present huge opportunities for insurers and for law firms alike – good news for my clients overall.
What 3 qualities do you think are important for solicitors to develop to be successful in their legal career?
I think the concept of “service” – or I suppose “client care” – is so important and isn’t something that you always see. It is hard, but you have to be responsive, available, dedicated and build a relationship with your client. For me, it is one of the best parts of the job. I think too it is important to be tenacious, both on behalf of your clients and, sometimes, on your own behalf. Finally, we do an important and serious job, and if you can do it with a sense of humour, I think that makes it more enjoyable for everyone.
On a more personal note…
Why did you decide to become a lawyer, and at what age did you decide that the law was for you?
I am not sure I want to admit to this, but I was about 9 or 10. Before that I’d toyed with being a Pilot (something I’d still love to do) and, believe it or not, a Vicar! Not sure I’d be qualified for that! Becoming a solicitor was a personal thing for me. As a kid, I’d had some experience of the Courts, and in particular the extent to which children’s views are considered in contact cases. I didn’t feel my voice was being heard, and becoming a solicitor felt for me like a way to ensure that this would never be the case again, and that I’d be able to advocate for others. I suppose, in many ways, that remains true.
You have a long history of bringing people together by way of networking events. You co-founded a networking group as a trainee, and more recently you helped establish the insurance mentoring scheme, Mentoring The Market. You also spend a lot of time seeing clients and developing business. How do you juggle these responsibilities?
I’m really proud of Mentoring the Market, and some of the other things I’ve been able to support throughout my career. All of those things represent time well spent, but you just learn to be organised, use time wisely (particularly those train journeys to and from London) and try not to worry too much. My ability to multi-task is nothing compared to my colleagues who have young families. Thankfully all I have to worry about is a (relatively!) self-sufficient partner and our lovely dog.
What is the biggest obstacle that you have had to overcome in your career so far?
Honestly, the biggest obstacle is me! Whether it be a crisis of confidence, imposter syndrome (groan), focusing too much on others. We can all be our own worst enemies. What I have learned, though, is that if I surround myself with the right people and if I am in the right environment, that provides the conditions I need to succeed. So, I’ve made some changes, like moving to Clyde & Co, and that has helped.
Looking back over your career to date, what are you most proud of?
Becoming a partner was a big thing for me, but actually making the move to Clyde & Co was something I felt quite nervous about and, as much as the firm really supported me, it was a step I had to take on my own. I am proud of myself for being brave and doing it, and immensely grateful to all the clients who supported me. People were so kind, and I will never forget that.
What is the best piece of advice that you have received?
Early on in my career I remember someone telling me to find a way to make myself indispensable. There are lots of ways to do that, whether that be by becoming a subject matter expert, or popular with an important client, or simply being the person who knows how to use Excel! I’m not saying which of those I chose!
What do you like to do to switch off when away from the office?
I like to squeeze as many holidays as I can into the year. I didn’t travel as much as I would have liked when I was younger (having gone straight from University and working in Marks & Spencer one day, and starting my training contract the next). So, despite the guilt of leaving the dog at home, and how much my colleagues take the mick out of me, I’d say the constant cycle of having a holiday booked definitely helps me relax.
If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to a dinner party, who would they be, and why?
I’d go for Bob Mortimer, Claudia Winkleman and (sadly, the late) Catherine O’Hara – all people who make me laugh, can tell a great story and I’d love to be friends with.
Tom Bedford
February 2026
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