Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Fotis Tsolakou

London

Summary

I am a commercially astute and highly driven third-year law student with a unique and powerful blend of hands-on experience in construction and hospitality, combined with a dedicated, seven-year background as a legal assistant. My experience has provided me with a firsthand understanding of the commercial lifecycle. From managing budgets and timelines, to being part of multi-million-pound construction projects and resolving complex, client-facing issues and closing deals. This is not just theoretical knowledge; it is a practical foundation built on operational leadership. Simultaneously, my long-standing legal assistant work has allowed me to apply legal principles in a business context, where I have advised on client contracts, conducted in-depth legal research, and contributed to business strategy. This diverse, well-rounded profile demonstrates a strong sense of commercial awareness, showing that I can approach legal issues with a deep understanding of the client's business, which is a key requirement for success in a Magic Circle law firm.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Legal Assistant

Global Woman Ltd
06.2017 - Current
  • Assisting both inside and outside council with managing legal risk and advised on brand protection for the company, as well as a global client base, which includes high-net-worth individuals, world leaders, and prominent figures. Conducting meticulous legal research across more than 30 countries to ensure all international events and operations adhered to local laws and regulations, minimizing potential legal liabilities.
  • Contributed to the company's evolution from a London-based initiative to a global brand operating in over 30 countries. Providing key legal and administrative support to a network of high-profile clients and event organizers across the UK, Europe, and the US, a role that is instrumental to the brand's international expansion.
  • Advising clients—including a global network of entrepreneurs and small business owners—on strategies for business scaling. This involves providing specific guidance on legal requirements for international expansion, new market entry, and navigating cross-border commercial agreements.
  • Assisting in negotiations and drafting a high volume of commercial agreements with venue managers, clients, and staff, contributing to a increase in operational efficiency for international events. This includes advising on legal requirements for contracts and ensuring favourable terms are secured for the company.
  • Collaborating closely with both internal and external counsel to advise on and oversee the visa application and immigration process for international clients and staff members. This involves the strategic creation of business plans and legal documents that comply with complex visa requirements, ensuring a 95% success rate for all applications so far
  • Assisting our legal team to provide legal advise to clients, including high-net-worth individuals, on contract-related issues, providing specific guidance on legal requirements for event bookings and commercial ventures.
  • Utilising advanced research databases, including LexisNexis and Westlaw, to conduct in-depth legal research. Prepare briefs and reports for solicitors and legal counsel, which are instrumental in advising on complex legal issues.
  • Providing essential legal and administrative support to the team, including the preparation of invoices, billing management, and the coordination of meetings and conferences for legal proceedings. This has ensured a seamless workflow contributing to the successful resolution of over 300 assigned cases per year.

Supervisor

Dans Le Noir?
12.2023 - Current
  • Driving strategic and financial performance by negotiating with suppliers and ensuring operational needs are met whilst adhering to strict financial guidelines. I have also contributed to overall company growth by advising senior management on proactive, results-oriented business strategies.
  • Leding a team of 5+ employees, overseeing daily operations and managing staff performance through regular reviews and constructive feedback. I am implementing new training sessions on product knowledge and customer service, which are directly enhancing team skills and morale.
  • Managing critical client relationships by resolving escalated complaints and high-stakes service issues for over 2000+ clients per month, maintaining professionalism and securing long-term customer loyalty through effective problem-solving.
  • Overseeing business compliance and operational integrity by developing and enforcing safety protocols, monitoring health and safety regulations, and preparing detailed weekly reports on sales, expenses, and staff productivity for senior management review. This ensures a safe and efficient workplace and providing clear insights into the business's performance.

Project Coordinator, Property Development

Berkeley Group
08.2019 - 08.2024
  • Secured and negotiated commercial deals on behalf of smaller construction companies, contributing to their business growth and market expansion. This involved structuring agreements, negotiating key contract terms, and cultivating relationships that resulted in securing over £18 million in new contracts over the last year of me being part of Berkeley Group.
  • Gained a deep, hands-on understanding of the commercial and legal challenges inherent in large-scale property developments. Proactively managed and mitigated operational risks on projects for industry leaders such as The Berkeley Group, Galliard Homes, and Crest Nicholson, preventing delays and costly legal disputes.
  • Facilitated the efficient progression of multi-million-pound construction projects by acting as the on-site assistant for contract managers and project managers. Coordinated teams, managed logistics, and provided proactive support, contributing to a 13% average improvement in project timeline efficiency across multiple projects in London and a high rate of client satisfaction In the last year.
  • Maintained meticulous documentation and reporting for all projects, ensuring accuracy and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. This streamlined the process of the projects status and provided a clear record of operational decisions and contractual adherence and a high rate of client satisfaction.

Education

Diploma of Higher Education - LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

The University of Law

Access to Higher Education - Law, Politics and International Relations

City and Islington College

GCSEs -

Islington Arts and Media School

Skills

  • Leadership skills
  • Excellent communication
  • Customer relationship building
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Working with disabled people
  • Operational support
  • Staff mentoring
  • Leadership proficiency
  • Strategic planning
  • Task prioritisation
  • Staff scheduling
  • Business operations understanding
  • Compliance awareness
  • Data analytics
  • Negotiation
  • Negotiation expertise
  • Budget planning
  • Recruitment and hiring practices
  • Invoicing
  • Contract negotiation
  • Customer service excellence
  • Time-management
  • Staff management
  • Decision making

Timeline

Supervisor

Dans Le Noir?
12.2023 - Current

Project Coordinator, Property Development

Berkeley Group
08.2019 - 08.2024

Legal Assistant

Global Woman Ltd
06.2017 - Current

Access to Higher Education - Law, Politics and International Relations

City and Islington College

GCSEs -

Islington Arts and Media School

Diploma of Higher Education - LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

The University of Law

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Fotis Tsolakou