How I built my own successful employment practice in 10 years at gunnercooke:

Paul Menham, Employment Partner recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary at gunnercooke. Over the past decade, he’s grown both personally and professionally, building a thriving practice and a strong retained client base.

Paul reflects on his journey with the firm, sharing how both he and gunnercooke have evolved, the challenges he’s overcome, and the opportunities that have shaped his career.

What are your memories of gunnercooke 10 years ago? How has the firm changed?

I joined with a group of people for our induction, and there was a lot of energy and excitement in the room. The firm was much smaller back then, but there was already a strong sense of support. It was a friendly, welcoming place: “What can we do to help you?” “How can we make this work for you?” “How can we help onboard clients?” That mindset was incredibly helpful.

Since then, the firm has grown massively. There are far more lawyers now and a much bigger team who have remained consistent in supporting the lawyers. There’s also a wider range of services and a deeper pool of legal expertise, which has really enhanced the client offering.

On reflection, what do you think was your biggest challenge starting out at the firm?

The biggest challenge was the nervousness. Like many others, I had concerns about whether clients would follow me into this new model. I was also moving to self-employment for the first time, having been employed since my early 20s. I thought I knew the job well, but going into business on my own account was daunting.

If I could go back and give myself advice, I’d repeat what my wife told me at the time: “You’re good at your job. Your clients like you. Just go for it.” It was brilliant advice, and exactly what I needed to hear.

How has the gunnercooke model benefited you and your clients?

It’s allowed me to focus on what I enjoy most, being a lawyer. I love the legal work, interacting with clients, dealing with litigation, and giving advice. These are the things I trained for, and without sounding too big-headed, they’re the things I’m good at.

At the same time, I’ve been able to avoid the aspects of traditional law firm life that I didn’t enjoy long strategy meetings, constant travel, time away from home, and office politics. My clients have benefited too. I’m more available to them because I’m not caught up in those distractions.

How has the support system at gunnercooke helped you in your career over the last 10 years?

What’s most impressive is the “can do” attitude. There’s a genuine focus on problem-solving and supporting lawyers, rather than the “that’s not my job” attitude I’ve experienced elsewhere. gcTrust has been a consistent and reliable source of support throughout my time here.

Has gunnercooke brought any unexpected opportunities your way?

Absolutely. In the last couple of years, colleagues, both within gunnercooke and from previous firms, have referred work to me that I wouldn’t have otherwise received.

One case, involving a religious discrimination claim for a high-profile Christian college, gained a lot of national media attention and is now being appealed to the Employment Appeal Tribunal. I was also referred an interesting claim by a former colleague, involving a headteacher at a high school in the South of England. These are opportunities I’m not sure I’d have had in a traditional firm. Beyond the work itself, gunnercooke has also brought unexpected social opportunities and connections, which I really value.

How has gunnercooke impacted your family/personal life?

gunnercooke has had a huge positive impact on my family life. One of the main reasons I joined was to spend more time with my children. Ten years ago, I was commuting into the city every day. I’d leave before the kids were awake and get home just in time to read them a story, if I was lucky.

Since joining gunnercooke, I’ve been able to do school drop-offs and pickups. I haven’t missed a single sports day, school play, carol concert, or football match. Those are moments you can’t get back if you miss them, and I’m so grateful I didn’t have to.

What’s your favourite case you have worked on?

My favourite case over the past couple of years was probably the 10 days I spent in Croydon last summer working for a large secondary school, defending a claim brought by their head teacher who claimed that he was dismissed by unfairly. Not only was the school completely exonerated, but the Tribune said they’d have acted in the same manner. It was a fantastic result and something I really enjoyed working on.

What’s your next step for your practice?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some excellent clients, and I’d like to continue doing so. I still enjoy the work, and I hope to carry on doing it for the next 10 years, just as I have for the past 10.

You can read more about Paul, his practice and his work on our website here.

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