Clinton Mendoza
Managing Director (BA Hons)
Clinton Mendoza studied Law at London University and The College of law in Chester.
Clinton founded Clime Associates in 1985 and for the first 15 years of his career specialised in litigation, acting on behalf of Private, commercial and insurance clients appearing before many courts and tribunals.
Clinton founded Lawshield, a legal expenses insurance business, alongside Connexus insurance solutions in 1996 which both service a number of high net worth insurers nationally as well as providing insurance to private individuals and companies.
Clinton has extensive litigation knowledge in many areas including property, insurance, insolvency and professional negligence claims.
Clinton is a business man as well as a lawyer and understands the commercial imperatives facing businesses today, and the need to ensure cash is used astutely when pursuing litigation.
For clients who don’t just want a lawyer who tells them what they want to hear, Clime Associates is the right choice. The philosophy is based on a transparent, practical approach with an emphasis on knowledge, achievement, hard work and reliability with the client at the forefront of all we do.
As the Managing Director at Clime Associates, Clinton oversees major financial decisions, is involved in key litigation matters and assists clients with funding options.
John Patterson
Director (BSc Hons LLM)
John achieved a first-class honours degree in Economics and Econometrics at the University of Nottingham.
John completed both the Graduate Diploma in Law and then the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School, graduating with a Distinction. John would go on to study for a Masters of Laws at the London School of Economics, again graduating with a Distinction.
John has worked at Clime Associates since 2017 and qualified as a solicitor in 2019. He specialises in general litigation, with a particular emphasis on Clinical Negligence and Professional Negligence.
In his free time, John enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his family.
Krishna Pathak
Director (LLB LLM)
Krishna studied Law at Liverpool University, completing the Legal Practice Course at The College of Law in Chester and was admitted as a solicitor in 1995.
Initially, he dealt mainly with Commercial Litigation concentrating on the Law of Contract, before expanding his practice to include Personal Injury, Professional Negligence and Employment Law. Krishna is a very experienced advocate holding Higher Rights of Audience in all Higher Courts, including representation of families at Inquest in fatal accident cases.
Krishna joined The Clinton Mendoza Consortium solicitors in 1993 and proceeded to specialise in catastrophic personal injury, head and spinal injury claims. Krishna also specialises in clinical negligence. In 2008 he completed a Master of Law degree in Advanced Litigation and Dispute Resolution and in recognition of his achievements Krishna was promoted to Partner.
He is a member of the Association Professional Injury Lawyers, Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates, as well as a member of the Spinal Injury Association.
Krishna has been involved in several high profile cases such as Grayrigg Train Derailment, and other notable cases reported such as appeal against the decision of the Employment Tribunal to make no award for pension loss.
On a personal level, he enjoys cycling, sport, reading and more sport! LLB LLM Solicitor-Advocate (All Proceedings)
Peter Michaelson
Solicitor
Peter studied History at University of Birmingham and completed a Law Conversion Course in London. He is a member of The Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, the Motor Accident Solicitors Society and the Spinal Injuries Association. Peter is also a Civil and Commercial Accredited Mediator, qualified in 2009.
Recently settled cases include:
- $260k for a victim of a low impact vehicle collision, resulting in termination from his job.
- $1.1m for a man in his 60s who suffered mobility issues in his leg and severe brain damage.
- $2.1m for a finance director who was not able to perform his job to the same level after a car accident.
- Clinical negligence cases resulting in settlements between $1.3-$3.5m.
Trice Fitzgerald
Head of Clinical Negligence (FCILEx)
Trice qualified as a Fellow Chartered Legal Executive in October 2004 and has specialised in Clinical Negligence through her career, also undertaking some Personal Injury and Civil Litigation in the past. She joined Clime Associates in January 2019 as Head of Clinical Negligence.
She a member of APIL and regularly volunteers on the AVMA Helpline. She has a strong history of handling all types of negligence claims, including high-value complex claims and has a wealth of experience in this regard.
Trice takes a personal approach to each and every case, and understands the needs of her clients and the importance not only to obtain compensation but also to support through the life-changing event that has happened.
Jennifer Sparrow
Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEX)
After 7 years of working in the legal industry whilst completing exams, Jennifer Sparrow has now qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive and Fellow of CILEx. Jennifer joined the firm as a Paralegal in the Professional Negligence department assisting the team’s Solicitors John Patterson, Nicholas Wesker and Samantha Pearson on complex Professional Negligence claims. Jennifer will now continue to work alongside her colleagues gaining valuable experience required for her career ahead.
Jennifer has worked in civil litigation since 2014. She has worked in both regional and city firms. Jennifer also has a background in commercial and intellectual property law following experience in a litigation department specialising in mobile communication patents.
Jennifer assists the professional negligence team on matters against professionals for negligence committed within course of acting.
Jennifer thoroughly enjoys listening to clients and assisting them in getting help for the injustice they have suffered.
Hector Wollege
Consultant Solicitor
Hector has been admitted as a solicitor for over 30 years and is currently a consultant with Medical Negligence Solutions. In his career, he has specialised, particularly in litigation involving medical negligence. He has been a member of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel and has fought in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. He has dealt with cases where operative procedures and sepsis had led to the death of patients and represented their families in the Coroner's Court himself.
Nicholas Wesker
Senior Litigation Solicitor (LLB Hons)
Nicholas studied Law at the University of Hertfordshire and then completed his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York. Nicholas qualified as a Solicitor in July 2012.
Nicholas joined The Clinton Mendoza Consortium in February 2016 and is based in the London office. He specialises in Professional Negligence for claims against Surveyors, Lawyers, Accountants, Brokers, Independent Financial Advisors and also victims of conveyancing fraud.
Nicholas also acts for clients that have sustained serious injuries as a result of an accident at work or a road traffic accident.
Throughout his career, Nicholas has dealt with various complex and high-value claims. A few examples are mentioned below.
Outside of work he is a keen sportsman and enjoys watching and playing rugby and skiing in winter.
Recent settlements:
- $700,000 – Solicitor breached an undertaking and failed to ensure a Legal Charge was registered against an existing loan.
- $245,000 – Solicitor failed to ensure an undertaking included a clause for a legal charge to be registered against an existing loan.
- $200,000 – Conveyancing Fraud. Conveyancer sent completion money to a fraudsters bank account.
- $100,000.00 – Accountant failed to file tax returns
- $70,000.00 – Solicitor missed a court deadline, and the personal injury claim was struck out.
- $28,000.00 – Under the settlement of a personal injury claim.
- $9,000.00 – Broker missold an insurance product which did not benefit our client’s needs.
- $75,000 – Fatal road traffic accident.
Jennifer Cepeda
Solicitor/Client Care Officer (LLB Hons, LL Dip)
Jennifer studied law at Leicester University before completing her LPC at the College of Law, Chester in 1995. Jennifer was admitted as a Solicitor in August 1997 and joined Clime Associates in the Matrimonial Department in March 1998. In 2000 Jennifer transferred to the Personal Injury Department to deal with Fast Track and Multi-Track personal injury claims and manage one of the firm's fast track personal injury teams.
When Clime Associates became The Clinton Mendoza Consortium solicitors in 2004, Jennifer was appointed Client Care Officer taking over responsibility for the firm's internal processes for the handling of complaints from clients. Jennifer was promoted to Partner in April 2005. In 2008 Jennifer became a Partner in Providence firm KLS Law, being responsible for Client Care and Compliance within both law firms.
With the changing regulatory requirements imposed by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority, Jennifer became Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) for The Clinton Mendoza Consortium in January 2013. After the merger of the northern office of The Clinton Mendoza Consortium with KLS Law in June 2013, Jennifer transferred to become COLP for KLS Law. Jennifer continues to undertake the day to day responsibility for the internal processes and procedures within KLS Law for both Client Care and regulatory compliance.
Samantha Pearson
Solicitor (LLB, LPC)
Samantha became qualified in the UK in 2017. She completed an LLB at the University of London, an LPC at BPP and is currently finishing her Masters in Business.
Samantha is a bi-lingual English/Arabic speaking solicitor. She has a broad range of experience in various sectors within the legal profession.
Samantha is frequently instructed in cases involving complicated financial matters and represents clients of a high net worth both in the UK and based in other jurisdictions.
Samantha supports her clients and invests considerable time into their objectives. She prides herself on the long-lasting relationships she builds and the success she achieves for individuals and their businesses.
Shonda Nielson
Paralegal LLB, LLM, LPC
Studied Law with Business at the University of Brighton (2013) Completed the Legal Practice Course alongside a Masters in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law (2019). Joined The Clinton Mendoza Consortium in November 2021 and is based in the London office. Seven years’ experience working in clinical negligence, five of which were spent in house at the NHS.
Sarah Atkinson
Paralegal
Sarah joined the firm as a Paralegal in May 2020, assisting the team with Clinical Negligence claims. She is currently studying for her CILEx Qualification, which she is completing in conjunction with her role at The Clinton Mendoza Consortium.
Having worked in the legal industry since 2013, initially within the arena of Personal Injury before moving towards Clinical Negligence, Sarah prides herself on providing excellent client care.
In her spare time, she enjoys going to shows with family and friends and also enjoys watching sports, football and tennis being her favourites.
Sam Kudo
Paralegal
Sam graduated with an LLB(Hons) degree at Northumbria University. He then completed the Legal Practice Course and Master’s degree in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law, graduating with a Distinction.
Sam has worked in civil litigation since 2015. He started in Hong Kong boutique firms handling personal injury claims and then assisted an e-Discovery firm and a national firm on high profile and complex litigation and inquiry. He can speak and write fluently in Mandarin and Cantonese.
Joining the firm as a Paralegal in November 2021, Sam assists the team with Professional Negligence claims.
In his spare time, he enjoys watching documentaries and films.
