Leeds and Newcastle-based Parklane Plowden Chambers has appointed Paul Clarke as senior practice director for civil and employment.
Paul joins from Kings Chambers, where he clerked for almost 30 years and was most recently responsible for the employment, personal injury, clinical negligence, sports law and court of protection practices.
As senior practice director, Paul is working with the individual members of the 62-strong civil and employment teams to identify and implement business growth strategies.
This includes liaising closely with barristers Stuart Jamieson, who is head of the civil team, and Dominic Bayne and Andrew Sugarman, who are joint-heads of the employment team.
Paul’s wealth of experience will enhance the set’s clerking team and help them continue to deliver high levels of service and support to clients.
In its 2024 rankings, barristers’ directory, Chambers & Partners, placed Parklane Plowden as Band 1 across its chancery; clinical negligence; employment; and personal injury practice areas. Additionally, the set was ranked Band 2 for inquests and inquiries.
Commenting on his new appointment, Paul said: “I am delighted to be taking on this new role and joining such an established and prestigious set of chambers.
“We have an exceptional and well recognised team of barristers working closely with highly regarded and experienced support staff. This is a potent combination as we look to continue providing high level advice, advocacy and client care.
“The North Eastern circuit has a thriving legal market, and I am excited to play my part in PLP’s ongoing vision for growth.”
Welcoming Paul head of chambers, James Murphy, said: “Paul has extensive experience as a leading clerk, and we are pleased he is joining us as a senior practice director.
“At PLP, our civil and employment barristers have an established leading reputation, and these practice areas represents a core growth opportunity for our set across the North Eastern Circuit.
“Having Paul on board will be instrumental in achieving this. We look forward to leveraging his leadership and management expertise to ensure high quality services are maintained for our clients as we go from strength to strength.”
Chambers & Partners also placed Parklane Plowden as Band 1, the highest ranking a chambers can achieve, across family and children and Band 2 for family: matrimonial finance.
The 2024 edition of legal directory The Legal 500 ranks Parklane Plowden Chambers as a tier one barristers’ set across five practice areas. These include chancery, probate and tax; clinical negligence; employment; family and children law and personal injury.
