A fond farewell to the outstanding Rod McGurk

After 8 incredible years at Church Court Chambers, Rod McGurk our Senior Clerk is moving on to new challenges. No one can say it better than him as to his journey, and therefore please find below his statement. We entirely echo his sentiments; his future is as equally bright. From Practice Director, to Senior Clerk, to flying the flag on the international stage; as the Legal 500 notes Rod is outstanding and a star. We wish him well in his new chapter and we all offer our huge thanks for his support in our journey.

“Exciting Times Ahead

After 8 incredible years at Church Court Chambers, I am moving on to new challenges. It has been an enriching and rewarding experience – challenging, fulfilling, and most importantly, successful. In 2016, I left 7BR, a well-established and respected common law set, where I had served as the Senior Clerk for both the Criminal and Family teams. I did so with a certain degree of trepidation, joining Church Court Chambers, a relatively new set in a turbulent market.

However, over the years, we’ve seen remarkable growth. We’ve grown from 3 to 6 KC’s, one of whom was appointed at Chambers – a first for Church Court. I’ve had the privilege of representing Chambers internationally, in cities such as Rome, Miami, and Mexico City, as part of our global expansion efforts. We’ve also moved from the Temple to our amazing new premises in the former Patent Office near Chancery Lane – a significant milestone for us. Throughout these 8 years, Church Court has grown substantially, and I am proud to have played a part in that journey. The future remains incredibly bright for the set.

I owe a great deal of gratitude to my Clerking Team, past and present, who have been instrumental in making my role possible through their hard work behind the scenes: Dan Bartlett, Dave Selsdon, Tom Horgan, and Will McKimm. A heartfelt thank you also goes to all the Chambers Solicitors, many of whom have become close friends. Their unwavering support has helped both the Chambers and me grow, and I am deeply appreciative of that.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to both Heads of Chambers I’ve worked alongside – Kerim Fuad KC, who had the faith and vision to bring me to Church Court, and Michael Mather Lees KC, who has steered the Chambers through challenging times, including the pandemic and the broader challenges facing the Criminal Justice system. Special thanks also go to Maria Karaiskos KC, Colin Witcher, and Shaun Esprit for their ongoing support as part of the Clerks’ Liaison Committee. Their dedication to creating a fair and welcoming environment has been invaluable.

I am truly grateful to all the members of Church Court, whose warm welcome and collaboration have helped establish Church Court Chambers as a respected and ranked set in the legal directories. Lastly, I owe a special thank you to Lewis Power KC, who trusted me and followed me from 7BR to Church Court. Lewis has been a true friend and a constant source of support throughout this journey.

While I am not entirely sure what lies ahead, I am excited about the new challenges that await. After a short break to recharge and maybe even sharpen my golf skills, I am ready to embark on the next chapter. What I am certain of, however, is that the future is bright for Church Court Chambers. With such talented barristers and a fantastic support team, I have no doubt they will continue to thrive. Thank you all for an unforgettable journey”