Gitta Altmann, a highly skilled bilingual corporate and commercial law specialist joined Excello in 2021. Gitta has over 25 years of experience acting for UK and international clients, including her role as the Head of the Company, Commercial, and Employment team at a London-based law firm.
Beyond her qualifications as a practicing English solicitor, Gitta also holds admission as a New York Attorney at Law. Her expertise extends globally and her recent appointment as the official legal advisor to the Swiss Embassy in the UK in 2023 speaks volumes about her reputation and trustworthiness in the field.
Having worked at a City-based law firm for 20 years, Gitta found herself at a crossroads when the firm merged with another law firm, resulting in a two hour commute to and from her office. During the Covid 19 pandemic, Gitta found that she enjoyed working from home. It was through a conversation with her friend and former colleague, Nelu Abeygunasekera, who had already made the move to Excello Law years earlier, that Gitta really became intrigued by the possibility of starting her own practice. She vividly recalls a life-changing conversation:
‘I clearly remember sitting on my balcony in the sun and speaking with Nelu who had made the move to become a consultant solicitor at Excello Law some years ago. Nelu had continuously bestowed high praise on George Bisnought and Jo Losty – the senior management team at Excello. I trust Nelu implicitly – I knew if it works for her and then it would likely work for me. During my own conversations with George and Jo I appreciated their values and integrity. A few months later I made the move.’
One of the standout qualities of Excello Law, according to Gitta, is the firm’s unwavering commitment to supporting its lawyers. Unlike other firms that apply pressure and a hard sell approach, Excello Law prioritises tailored support for its lawyers and offers a central support team that consistently goes above and beyond. Gitta expressed her gratitude for the team:
‘Jessie and the compliance team, Becky and Sharlene – there are so many people I can name who are always readily available and go out of their way to be helpful. Knowing that I have a strong support team behind me helps me sleep at night and allows me to focus on what I can achieve for my clients’.
Excello Law’s approach, centred around putting the interests of clients and lawyers at the heart of their operations, sets it apart from traditional law firms. Gitta questions, “Why join another consultancy-firm that has shareholders to answer to or traditional law firms with their rigidity? That just really goes against the grain! I have found that Excello’s position as an independent firm means that they provide a far more client and lawyer-centric experience.”
While Gitta enjoys the freedom of working from home, she also cherishes the opportunity to visit Excello Law’s impressive office in Bishopsgate, London. The stylish office, adorned with a giant fish tank, provides a professional setting for face-to-face meetings with clients and contacts, enabling the development of strong relationships.
When discussing her experience working with the network of experienced lawyers, Gitta expressed her enjoyment and appreciation for collaborating with such talented individuals:
“I’ve been so lucky – Excello’s commitment to recruiting highly experienced lawyers has meant that I have really enjoyed working with colleagues here. All the lawyers I have so far had the pleasure to work with are dedicated to achieving great work for their clients and a pleasure to work with”.
As a consultant solicitor, Gitta relishes the unparalleled flexibility and autonomy. Her bilingualism and ability to work across multiple time zones previously presented challenges in other positions. Gitta can work from anywhere and choose her own hours, enabling her to accommodate international clients and unique situations. She remembers, “I once prepared a settlement agreement from a resort in a rainforest in Malaysia at one am in the morning in the only place that had WIFI”! Definitely the most enjoyable experience of drafting I’ve had to date!
Building a good reputation and thriving on internal referrals are significant sources of fulfilment for Gitta:
“Seeing my clients happy is the ultimate measure of success for me. I really enjoy it when I get internal referrals from other Excello lawyers as I thrive on building good working relationships . It’s a great compliment to have other lawyers respect and appreciate the work that I do and that we can achieve in teams in willing collaboration. I particularly enjoy the standard and variation of the work I receive from my colleagues. I have been able to work on a wide range of exciting and interesting work with other lawyers within the network”.
With two successful years at Excello Law under her belt, Gitta’s journey exemplifies the possibilities and achievements that can be realised as a consultant solicitor at the firm. Gitta’s says:
“I am so happy here, wild horses couldn’t drag me away!”
Looking to the future, Gitta intends to continue delivering excellent quality work and further honing her expertise. She remains excited about the prospects that lie ahead, with plans already in the pipeline.
To lawyers considering becoming consultant solicitors, Gitta emphasises the importance of hard work and networking. “Regardless of whether one is in a traditional firm or works as an employee, success requires effort.”
Gitta believes that “joining Excello Law is a no-brainer”, as it provides the perfect platform for a lawyer to build their own practice in the way they have always envisioned. With the firm’s unparalleled support, emphasis on excellence, and client-centered approach, Excello Law continues to attract top talent like Gitta, setting the stage for continued success and growth.