Lawyer story: Fotoulla Menikou

Fotoulla Menikou is a specialist family lawyer who has worked in the legal industry for more than two decades. Formerly a partner in an Essex based firm where she headed up the family law department, she has also worked in financial services.

I’ve always wanted to work for myself, and create something of my own. Before the Covid-19 pandemic I’d done work in both financial services and law, and when all the difficulties and challenges of lockdown came about it seemed like the perfect time to throw myself into being a consultant lawyer.

When looking at firms, I was conscious I didn’t want to go anywhere too huge. The most important thing for me was being able to offer excellent client care. I was very opposed to anywhere mandating billing targets as they are an added pressure that I find doesn’t work to motivate lawyers, it works against them.

Getting to know the firm

I had nerves joining Excello as I wasn’t sure what the culture was going to be like, but the emphasis they put on integrity when it comes to both lawyer and client care was a huge plus. That’s backed by real infrastructure too, proper compliance and quality standards behind the scenes, not just words. I’ve found they really live that in practice, and you get the resources you wouldn’t receive at a smaller firm than this one. It’s worked out perfectly.

The 360 team are phenomenal, and all the support we get with billing and getting matters open from the support teams at Excello is fantastic. It doesn’t surprise me that lawyers here consistently rate that support so positively, because they go above and beyond to help. When I first joined I had an issue with setting something up, and even the COO Jo Losty got involved along with Rasneet Sohal who I’d worked with previously. They were clearly doing whatever it took to get the issue sorted.

All the interactions I’ve had with the firm’s management have been very positive, but it speaks well to the firm that I haven’t needed as much help as I might have expected! George is wonderful and very responsive to emails. It’s all a welcome change from what I’ve seen in other law firms and businesses.

Since joining Excello I have worked with some of the other lawyers, referring matters involving wills for example. One thing I find very valuable is the ‘coffee roulette’ program the firm runs, partnering you for a chat once a month with someone you’ve never met. That’s good fun, as are the big events including the Christmas party, bringing everyone together.

One that has really stuck with me was a trip to the House of Lords to see a Bill being read. Luckily for me it was a Bill that was very pertinent to my work, so that was a phenomenal experience to have had.

People-first focus

It’s been a lovely surprise to find that despite us all being consultants with many of us predominantly working from home, there is still an inclusive feeling. The firm puts on lots of those in-person events and if you ever need to speak to somebody, there will be someone available for you.

The lawyers here are great, all very amicable and accommodating. Because nobody’s chasing the same billing targets or competing for the same partnership slots, everyone’s instinct is to try and help each other when enquiries come in and they’re circulated among the internal Family group. That’s really nice and I think is unique to consultancy practices like Excello.

I think what really makes Excello different is the feeling that they genuinely care about the lawyers and what’s best for us, it’s not a giant money making machine. Of course every business has to make money, but there’s integrity at the heart of how Excello operates and that’s never forgotten.

Constant improvement

It strikes me as well that the firm’s management are always looking to improve things, for the lawyers and the firm as a whole. Recently that came with the expansion into the USA and Dubai and the opportunities that has brought with it. The leadership team really think about the mental health side of legal practice, and making sure there is a community feeling. I’ve attended some of the webinars the firm runs, they are fantastic and always appreciated.

Excello understands that to get the best out of lawyers, they need to have the right support in place, and while I think many consultancy practices talk a good game, they don’t necessarily deliver in the same way.

I also love the fact that Excello gives you the space for professional development. In the past I’ve had opportunities to draft study materials for CILEX, a great project as it meant I could do something different, hone my skills and also make valuable connections for the future. Because I didn’t have hours targets and because I had the necessary support in place, I’ve been able to pursue those kinds of opportunities.

New opportunities

I think Excello goes a long way to give you all the benefits you’d have at a traditional law firm without the obvious drawbacks. If you want to go into the office and network the opportunities are there, but if for whatever reason that’s not something you want to focus on at the moment then there’s no pressure.

It’s the little things too, like having more freedom over our social media presence. It’s important I think now for clients to understand their lawyers are people too. I think a lot of traditional law firms don’t buy into that mindset. When it comes to building your own client base, having that freedom over how you go out to the market is so important.

If you’re interested in becoming a consultant lawyer, I would always recommend Excello Law. It says a lot that so few lawyers who join end up leaving, and I understand exactly why. I’ve had people message me saying they want to make the change, asking about my experience, and because of the culture and the management here sharing my values, I have nothing but positive things to say about Excello.