Keating turns to 3-4 South Square for hire of clerking director
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The senior practice director at 3-4 South Square is to leave the set to join Keating Chambers’ as director of clerking.
Paul Cooklin
Keating Chambers wrote to clients yesterday to let them know that Paul Cooklin would be joining. The set said that joint senior clerk Nick Child would remain in place while his counterpart John Munton would be moving on.
Child will report directly to Cooklin under the new clerking structure. The junior clerking teams, lead by Chris Sunderland and Simon Wigley, will remain in place.
In the letter sent to clients Keating head of chambers John Marrin QC said Cooklin’s priority would be a “root and branch look at how our clerking team interacts with clients”.
Cooklin has been tasked with expanding Keating’s market share in the building and civil engineering sectors. He will join the set in May after 3-4 South Square has found a replacement.
Cooklin told The Lawyer: “There’s enormous potential to build on what’s already in place at Keating and it’s a privilege to lead the clerking team to help make that happen.”
Readers' comments (5)
construction litigator | 29-Jan-2010 1:35 pm
Very interesting. Reflects the market perception that Keating was losing ground to and being caught up by chasing sets like 4 Pump Court (in particular), 4 New Square and 39 Essex Street.
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David Miles | 2-Feb-2010 2:04 pm
Keating Chambers is one of the two pre-eminent construction sets.It has considerable strenght in depth.It is always a pleasure dealing with the clerks who are most user friendly.
Having dealt with him as well,I know Paul is experienced in dealing with high profile counsel and a high profile set . I am sure will further enhance the clerking team at Essex Street.
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Anonymous | 2-Feb-2010 2:07 pm
In addition to its expertise in the field of construction, one of the most impressive things about Keating has always been its front of house team (ie clerks and receptionists). Always willing to help. I am sure that Paul Cooklin will only add to this and enhance the service that one has come to expect from Keating.
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Michael Webster | 2-Feb-2010 7:28 pm
In my view Paul Cooklin is one of the best senior clerks/ practice managers at the Bar and his recruitment is a major coup for Keating and, no doubt, a sad loss to 3-4 South Square - would not surprise me if there was a transfer fee involved.
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Anonymous | 2-Feb-2010 7:54 pm
From experience, Keating has remained the most progressive and user-friendly of the specialist construction law sets - due in no small part to the clerking team. The addition of Paul, with his reputation, serves to demonstrate that this will continue. Very interesting - and it will no doubt keep the other sets on their toes.
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