Marks was a renowned engineer. As a colleague of Thomas Edison, he became a director of a number of record companies including Columbia and EMI. He was also a politician who, after a career as an elected Member of Parliament, was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Marks of Woolwich.

Clerk was the inventor of the two-stroke gas engine and spent many years developing the technology. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and a frequent expert witness in patent litigation. Clerk was made a Knight of the Realm in recognition of his services to science and technology.

With increasing professional demands, the founding partners concentrated more and more on intellectual property rather than general technical and engineering practice.

From its origins in Birmingham, Marks & Clerk rapidly expanded to other cities under the guidance of Clerk. Marks tended to focus on the development of the firm’s extensive international reputation and business contacts. The company have offices in:

UK – 1887

Canada – 1921

Hong Kong – 1973

Luxembourg – 1989

Singapore – 1995

China – 1997

Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP (UK) – 2003

France – 2005

Anthony Evans & Co. (Hong Kong) – 2008

Malaysia – 2009

Marks & Clerk Consulting LLP – 2012