Joe started his career in the Judicial Appointments Division of the Lord Chancellor’s Department where he assisted in appointments to the High Court Bench, Circuit Bench as well as to the ranks of Queen’s Counsel and Recordership.
He started his clerking career in 1998 at a well-known common-law set of chambers in London where he quickly rose to the rank of First Junior. In 2001 Joe made the move to Birmingham to join St Philips Chambers and within six months, and at the age of 25, he was appointed Senior Criminal and Regulatory Clerk where he went on to co-manage the mergers with No.1 Fountain Court in 2002 and No.3 Fountain Court in 2006. In 2010 he was appointed to the role of Chief Clerk, with responsibility for all practice groups and clerking generally.
Today Joe is Chambers Director and has responsibility for the overall management of St Philips, ensuring best practice throughout. His role encompasses: strategic leadership, client care, business development, practice development*, marketing, HR and management. He chairs various committees in chambers, including the management team, executive team and the strategy committee whose job it is to identify and proactively adapt to changes in legislation, funding and alternative business structures.
*Practice and career development is hugely important to Joe who, in his 22 years at St Philips, has proudly seen through an unprecedented 50 full-time judicial appointments (1 Lord Justice of Appeal, 4 High Court Judges, 31 Circuit Judges, 6 District Judges and 8 Tribunal Judges); and the appointment of 23 King’s Counsel.
– Member of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks Management Committee & Equality, Diversity, Wellbeing and Social Mobility Committee
– Member of the Legal Practice Management Association Executive Committee
– Member of the Bar Council Equality, Diversity & Social Mobility Committee’s Flexible Working Group
– Director & Board Member of Birmingham Law Society
– Member of the Midland Legal Support Trust Fundraising Committee
– President of the Birmingham Bar Clerks’ Mess
– Advocate’s Pro Bono ‘Champion’ for St Philips
– Common Purpose Alumni
– Institute of Barristers’ Clerks Conference Chair 2022
– Shortlisted for ‘CEO of the Year’ – Legal 500 Awards 2022
Hobbies include: Golf, Skiing, Boxing and enjoying music of all varieties.