Excello Law—two appointments

New-model firm Excello Law has expanded into Manchester city centre with the opening of a new office at 3 Hardman Square and the recruitment of leading family lawyers Katie McCann and Michael Gregory, who both join from Knights plc.

Katie qualified in 2005 and was called to the Bar in 2009. She specialises in all aspects of family law, with a focus on high net worth divorce, private children matters and wealth protection, including pre and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She acts for sports and media personalities, business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs.

Michael qualified in 2004 and his cases often involve an international element and include matters where there have been overseas divorces, lottery wins, complex business and family trust structures and major changes in financial circumstances. Michael also has extensive experience of advising in non-marital and same sex cases.

Katie will be heading up the new team and working in partnership with Excello to develop Lowry Legal, a specialist family law brand offering legal services across Manchester and Leeds.

Katie said: 'As the owner of Lowry Legal, and being Manchester based, our origins are deeply embedded in northern culture taking the name from the famous Mancunian and much-loved artist. We want to develop a unique and modern approach to the delivery of family law services post pandemic, and I am excited to be working in partnership with the entrepreneurially minded Excello Law to bring this idea to life. I am thrilled that my colleague Michael Gregory has also joined.'

As one of the longest-established dispersed model law firms, Excello Law provides the largest office network of the new-model firms for its team of 110+ senior consultant lawyers across nine locations and has witnessed unprecedented interest in its fully agile business model following the pandemic. 

George Bisnought, managing director, commented: 'Manchester is a major legal centre and opening there has always been part of our strategic ambition.  With our investment in new facilities for our lawyers and clients in the heart of the city’s business centre, we’re looking for major growth of our team in the region. 

'We’re delighted to welcome Katie and Michael, who have a recognised standing in family law in Manchester, and whose experience builds on the extensive team capabilities we already have across the north west in Chester and Liverpool.'

George added: 'The combination of true agility for lawyers to work from where they want, with modern office facilities which foster collaboration among teams, is proving very attractive. We’re enjoying a significant increase in recruitment from lawyers keen to keep the flexibility and freedom they have experienced during lockdown.'

Major growth in Excello’s team capability over 2020/21 has been seen across real estate, franchising and licensing, family law and private client services, while the merger of specialist firm Jayes Collier with Excello now provides a dedicated home for lawyers practising in the entertainment and creative industries.