Fitzsimmons Law Firm PLLC is proud to announce that Clayton Fitzsimmons has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession in the WVU College of Law “Lawyers and Leaders” Awards. This prestigious honors program, featured in West Virginia Executive Magazine, celebrates outstanding legal professionals who are making a significant impact in West Virginia and across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Clayton expressed his deep appreciation for the honor and was humbled to be recognized alongside some of the state's most respected legal professionals.
Clayton's journey into the legal field was inspired at a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Bob Fitzsimmons. He recalls seeing his father as a "modern-day David battling corporate Goliaths," a role that deeply resonated with him. Now, as managing member of Fitzsimmons Law Firm, Clayton works alongside his father, brother, and some of his closest friends, handling the firm's more complex and demanding cases. His practice areas range from product liability and toxic torts to catastrophic injuries, mass torts, and class actions.
"I was drawn to these areas initially because they were intellectually engaging," Clayton said. "I liked the challenge of solving the complex issues that arise in these types of cases. And because each case is different, I get the opportunity to learn about many different things outside the law such as medicine, engineering, or physics.”
Practicing law has also allowed Clayton to help people which he finds very personally rewarding. “I get to help people in their most desperate times, usually after they have suffered a catastrophic injury or the loss of a family member,” he says. “Their case is probably the only shot to get the help or relief they need, which is added motivation. With every successful case that I’ve handled, I have positively changed my client’s life going forward and provided them security, answers, and help at a time when they most desperately needed it. I still get Christmas cards and notes from clients I represented years ago thanking me.”
Beyond his legal achievements, Clayton is dedicated to help mentoring the next generation of lawyers. As a member of the District 1 Character and Fitness Committee, he conducts character and fitness interviews for potential new bar applicants where he also has the opportunity toprovide mentorship to newer attorneys. He also serves on the Investigative Panel of the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel’s Lawyer Disciplinary Board where he reviews ethical complaints made against other lawyers.
Clayton graduated from Cornell University where he also played tailback and wide receiver on the Varsity football team before attending Notre Dame Law School. Clayton focuses his practice on complex catastrophic personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death cases. As a result of his achievements, Clayton has been recognized from his peers, with regular inclusion in prestigious lists such as Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers.
Fitzsimmons Law Firm is proud to celebrate Clayton’s well-deserved recognition and looks forward to continuing its mission of delivering exceptional legal service to the people of West Virginia and beyond.