A Gwent lawyer has been appointed as president of the Association of South Western Law Societies.

Clive Thomas, managing partner of Watkins & Gunn Solicitors, which has offices in Newport, Pontypool and Cardiff, has been selected to head up ASWLS, which is the representative body of six local law societies - Monmouthshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire, Devon & Somerset, Cornwall & also Plymouth. They represent more than 10,000 solicitors in more than 700 legal entities in South East Wales and the South West England.

As part of the one year post Clive will act as the voice of solicitors in the region, chairing quarterly meetings with fellow presidents to report and lobby on topical issues, supporting and promoting members in the area and working to maintain the standards of the profession.

Clive Thomas said: “I intend to be a very active president and want to make a real difference to solicitors within the local law societies that form ASWLS. My aim is to raise awareness of ASWLS and use the profile to gain a greater voice to address issues affecting the profession.”