Daily Diary

Marks and clerks

Posted 11/03/2008 by The Daily Diary

For all the decades of tradition at many law firms –  centuries, even, in some cases – firms are increasingly aware of the kick up the BD backside a catchy re-branding can give you. One barristers clerk, however, has gone through more than his own fair share of re-brandings in his career – all in the name of client service.

Back in the 1980s, a youngster called Mark Taylor joined elite set Fountain Court as a clerk. However, it was felt that with Mark Watson (senior clerk these days) also on the books, Taylor represented one ‘Mark’ clerk too many, threatening to confuse clients and counsel alike. He therefore changed the name he went by to John Taylor.

After a decade’s service, Taylor decamped for Old Square Chambers, taking his pseudonym with him. Now he’s coming back to Fountain Court – which just happens to have a tenant called John Taylor.

So Taylor the clerk is moving on to his third first name (as it were) – and has re-branded accordingly as Alex.

The artist formerly known as Mark Taylor