Brick Court Chambers

Clerking Team

Sophie Bird's Clerking Team

Senior Clerk

Paul Dennison

Paul Dennison

Paul joined Brick Court Chambers in 2007, having previously been at Blackstone Chambers for ten years. He was appointed Senior Clerk in August 2018.

Paul leads the clerking team with Tony Burgess, and oversees and strengthens members of chambers' practices. As well as this responsibility for individuals, Paul concentrates on business development with clients, and domestic and international marketing of chambers.

He is a member of chambers’ executive and marketing committees which oversee all aspects of chambers' business and strategic development.

Paul is a member of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and the International Bar Association.

Client feedback includes:

Chambers & Partners 2026:

"Senior clerk Paul Dennison is super responsive and really good at having a chat about counsel options. He is a very good intermediary with their counsel team and will give fair feedback."

"Brick Court Chambers have been the easiest clerking team to deal with, particularly senior clerks Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess."

"They are very efficient, and good at anticipating client questions and needs. I would call out Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison, they are excellent - brilliant to deal with and very well connected."

"Paul Dennison, senior clerk, and Phillip Wilkes, senior practice manager, provide an exemplary service."

"Both Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess understand our business and how to make sure we get the best package. They are amazing, very responsive and their quality is incredible across all disciplines."

"They're a solid clerking team, I know Paul Dennison very well. We've had to do a number of negotiations over fees and availability, and they've always been engaging and enjoyable to work with."

"Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison lead an exceptional team that is very responsive."

"Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are class acts - a pleasure to deal with."

"Senior Clerk Paul Dennison and team are always very responsive, pragmatic and commercial."

Legal 500 2026:

"Paul Dennis and Tony Burgess are a classy pair - very experienced, responsive and approachable."

"Phil Wilkes and Paul Dennison are a great clerking team, always a pleasure to deal with."

"Paul Dennison is very responsive."

"Paul Dennison is always a pleasure to deal with."

"Paul Dennison runs a tight ship."

"Paul Dennison is an outstanding senior clerk whose professionalism, efficiency, and deep understanding of the commercial Bar make him an invaluable asset to Brick Court Chambers. He brings a calm authority and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to every aspect of his role, ensuring smooth and effective service for solicitors and clients alike."

For out of hours requests please contact Paul via his mobile phone: 07930 532991

Deputy Senior Clerk

Katie Szewczyk

Katie Szewczyk

Katie Szewczyk rejoined Brick Court Chambers as Deputy Senior Clerk in 2025. She has over 25 years’ clerking experience and previously worked at another magic circle set.

Her responsibilities in Chambers include all areas of practice management such as business development, diary management, allocation of new work, complex listing arrangements, fee negotiations and strategic practice development for members.

Katie is a member of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and has completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management with the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM). She also sits on Service Appointments Panel of the Bar Council.

Chambers & Partners 2025:

"Deputy Senior Clerk Katie Szewczyk is brilliant. If you ask her a question she comes straight back, going above and beyond to try and help."

"Very proactive and user friendly."

Legal 500 2025:

"Very responsive. (A) first-rate senior clerk."

"Extremely helpful."

"Excellent leader."

Senior Practice Manager

Philip Wilkes

Philip Wilkes

Philip started his clerking career in 2010, and has been at Brick Court Chambers since early 2015, becoming Senior Practice Manager in 2025. Philip has responsibility of managing the individual practices of barristers across all seniorities within chambers, and having an active role within chambers’ marketing and business development initiatives. In addition to this, other key day-to-day responsibilities include advising clients as to the suitability and expertise of counsel, fee negotiation across all seniorities, and listing of cases in all divisions of chambers’ key practice areas”

Client feedback 

“Phil Wilkes is extremely responsive and has an uncanny knack of finding a way to make things work, however awkward.”

“Philip Wilkes is great. He knows his business and delivers the best for you.”

"Phil Wilkes, practice manager, is great. Client service is very, very good."

"Impeccable – Philip Wilkes is incredibly helpful and proactive."’

"Very good clerking team. Phil Wilkes in particular is stand out."

"Philip Wilkes was incredibly helpful in both the initial selection of leading counsel and in arranging work throughout."

"Efficient, helpful and pragmatic – Phil Wilkes in particular shines."

"Philip Wilkes has been helpful throughout."

"Practice managers Phil Wilkes and James Knapp are both excellent."

"Clerks are impressive – Paul Dennison and Philip Wilkes are both excellent."

"The clerks are great. In particular, I am a big fan of Paul Dennison. Tony Burgess and Philip Wilkes are also great."

“The clerking is excellent. Practice manager Phil Wilkes is very helpful and prompt and Paul Dennison is super."

For out of hours requests please contact Philip via his mobile phone: 07939 509873

Practice Managers

James Knapp

James began his career in 2014 and joined Brick Court in 2016 as a junior clerk. He became Head Junior and subsequently progressed to Paul Dennison’s clerking team in 2018. His main responsibilities include; diary management, allocation of work, fee negotiation, and working alongside colleagues on chambers marketing and business development initiatives.

James has completed the IBC's BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in Chambers Administration and previously sat as the Chair of the Career Development Committee of the IBC.

Client feedback 

"James Knapp and Philip Wilkes are always very responsive and helpful."

"First rate especially Phil Wilkes and James Knapp."

"The clerks room is generally very good and responsive. Day-to-day, James Knapp in particular is very good to deal with."

'"The clerks are brilliant. Ben Rippengale, James Knapp and Philip Wilkes are always very responsive and helpful."

"Practice managers Phil Wilkes and James Knapp are both excellent."

"James Knapp and Paul Dennison are good to deal with, and sensible in terms of fees."

"The clerking team, led by senior clerk Paul Dennison, is excellent - extremely knowledgeable and responsive. James Knapp, practice manager, is proactive and prompt."

"We've worked with Jo Francis, Sam Jones, Ben Rippengale, Tom Bennett, Hannah Rayner, James Knapp and Kate Trott, and they are all great to deal with. They are friendly, approachable, and highly responsive."

"James Knapp is always very responsive." 

For out of hours requests please contact James via his mobile phone: 07768 614883