One of the eagle-eyed CIPR Advanced Certificate students studying public relations circulated this story, also covered in the Times Online.
David Corker is a solicitor at Corker Binning and a regular lecturer for the LCCSA. The 2004 Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession described him having a “pedigree which stands out by itself”. The 2005 edition as “tremendously bright”, the 2006 edition as “a business crime legend” and the 2007 edition as “having made a massive academic contribution due to his involvement on the lecture circuit”. Colleagues have described him as ‘a complete wanker’.
A quick scan of the company website indicates Mr Corker is something of a self-publicist, but he doesn’t seem to have managed his personal reputation within the company - or found the time to proof read his biography.
Apparently this statement was in a biography sent to the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, and was included in a pamphlet sent to 1,000 lawyers to publicise a seminar as well as being on its website for two days.
The Times reported that although Mr Corker did not return the journalist’s calls - this addition to his CV was “a marketing triumph”. As the Law Gazette confirms, the lecture was a sell-out.
It just goes to prove that being open and honest is a good public relations strategy - although most likely audiences are intrigued to see if the statement is true. I’ve yet to find anything confirming or denying this - so if you know Mr Corker…
[...] mind. 4. Heather Yaxley highlighted how a London lawyer used his reputation as a “complete wanker” among his colleagues to his advantage. Very clever. Well it made me smile anyway. 5. Nathan [...]
Report to us if it turns out to be true, Heather.