Not all legal career paths are linear – some people take a less than traditional route to the roles they hold today: Rob Hands, Commercial Operations Manager at law firm RPC is one of those individuals. Chris Excell, Head of Legal Recruitment at SRM, spoke to Rob to understand, among other things, his interesting route into the legal world and the challenges he’s faced, his remit and responsibilities at RPC, and how he sees the future of remote working.

You have had an interesting route through to the legal world, can you talk to us about your background and how you ended up working within law firms.

My father was a sports journalist and from a relatively early age, it seemed like a brilliant way to earn a living – to get paid for watching sport. Unoriginally, I thought I would follow in Dad's footsteps – and joined the sports desk of The Times doing the results. Over time, I moved up the ladder, such that 15 years later, I had become part of the management structure of the paper, moving across both The Times and The Sunday Times. It was a fantastic period but I began to think about whether I could translate my skills into another sector – and take on a new challenge before I got too long in the tooth.

My wife is a qualified lawyer, so I know a fair few legal people socially – and after I had done some research, I began to see that there were plenty of parallels between journalists and lawyers, not least in terms of their approaches to work and passion for what they do. I had worked alongside a variety of lawyers in the corporate legal team at News UK (the papers' parent company) and could see where my abilities could complement those in private practice. So I took the plunge and made the move three years ago.

What is the toughest challenge you have found stepping away from your media-based background?

Proving myself again. After more than 20 years in newspapers, I had a reputation, I knew a lot of people, I knew exactly how things worked – and how to get things done. Now I was starting over – not quite from scratch, and with the benefit of life experience – but I had to show that I could do a good job in an initially unfamiliar environment. It was very much a "one step at a time" approach, learning the nuances of a new world and listening to advice. Probably the most intriguing part of it has been navigating the quirks of a partnership structure, where there are notionally many "business owners".  

What are your remit and responsibilities at RPC?

I am Commercial Operations Manager at the firm. I work for the Commercial group (which covers all sectors that the firm offers apart from insurance – such as IP and Technology, Media, Corporate and Banking Litigation, among others), and principally for Jeremy Drew, Partner and Group Head. My role is to ensure that the group, operationally speaking, is working at optimum levels to allow lawyers to focus on winning and delivering great work of the highest quality. Initially I have had a relentless focus on financial hygiene, but have also helped with strategy, personnel and other key areas to sustain and augment the group's work, with involvement in the development of AI within the practice areas and general better use of technology to deliver for clients.

How do you see the long-term vision for RPC?

I first came across RPC about a decade ago and heard about their media litigation reputation from the Times titles' perspective (one of the editorial lawyers there did actually train at RPC). A few years later, I worked on a matter with News's IP counsel where she brought in David Cran to help us. Off the back of those interactions, I had an impression of the size and range of RPC – but the growth in the business since has been startling. The firm's culture is outstanding and with some immensely talented senior and junior lawyers, coupled with progressive and energetic work on the business services side, I see no reason why the growth of recent years cannot be continued. 

Tell us about your reflections on how the traditional working week has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic – do you seeing this changing back to a full-time working in the office week?

I always felt that the remote working phenomenon that Covid enabled might be short-lived – not least because humans typically like interacting with other humans, and doing so via a screen is not the same. But what seems evident is that while I suspect there will be more of a shift to "back in the office" across all industries, I find it hard to believe that this will revert to the previous norm of a metronomic five-day office week. What is more interesting is how businesses will define the purpose of the office in this hybrid world – those that can deliver a stellar "in-office experience" will reap the benefits, from enhanced team cohesion and creativity most of all.

What do you look for in an “ideal” candidate and what are the challenges you have faced with recruits?

There is no such thing as the ideal candidate – that is often hugely subjective. What I would always look for is energy, enthusiasm and people skills. Most other competencies can usually be readily learnt – but those three attributes are hard to fake, yet vital for the success of a team enterprise. In terms of challenges faced with recruits, I can only generalise – and say that everyone, however good at talent spotting, can make hiring mistakes, but typically if you have developed the right environment for talent to flourish in, it will.

Can you share with us your thoughts on using executive search firms?

The best search firms are a synthesis of two things – identifying the right potential candidates for roles (which often entails telling good people that they are not right for a role they think they would be) and properly understanding what the clients want in their search for new talent. It isn't easy – and requires humility and concentration. I have had experience of very good ones – and they stand out a mile. Much like lawyers, it's the chemistry with the client that often makes the difference.

What’s your experience of working with SRM – we helped with your move to RPC remember!

SRM, in the shape of Chris Excell, has been terrific for me. Chris is one of those rare individuals who is prepared to take some time to understand the individual – and then thinks sensibly and intelligently about where there might be a real "fit". He is also phlegmatic enough to understand that not everything comes off, and to deal with Kipling's twin imposters in an equable fashion. In my case, it was his lateral thinking that took a chance conversation with Jeremy Drew, and his knowledge of what I was keen to achieve, to matching the two of us.

And finally… what are your hopes/aspirations for when Leicester City gain promotion to the Premier League?

I am not prepared to jinx the Foxes' admittedly very positive prospects by speculating about promotion. Leeds United and Ipswich Town, and perhaps Southampton, are worthy rivals. It has been, though, an excellent season at the King Power and should the current form be maintained, I would hope that City can hold their own against PL teams once more.

Need help with your legal recruitment or to find your next role?

Get in touch with Chris Excell today on + 44 7595 748826, email
chrisexcell@srmrecruitment.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisexcell/