Name: Thekla Fellas

Firm: Eversheds Sutherland

Role: Partner and Head of Telecoms Code

Trained at: the Bar – Littleton Chambers and 10-11 Grays Inn Square

Year qualified: 1992 at the Bar and took dual qualification in 1999 as a solicitor

Read her Hot 100 profile

What’s your most vivid memory from being a pupil?

I have so many memories from pupillage, but two really stand out for me.

The first was attending a client conference during my first six-month pupillage at (what is now) Littleton Chambers.   My pupil master, Antony Sendall, was junior counsel in a high profile matter and I was attending my first large conference. There were 10 – 12 attendees at the conference; senior representatives from the client, a QC and a number of junior Counsel. I remember feeling excited, but slightly intimidated. I was the most junior lawyer in the room, probably the youngest person and the only female.

While listening to the legal debate I thought a point may have been overlooked. It was only a minor point, but did potentially impact on one of the issues being discussed. I summoned up the courage to quietly mention it to my pupil master. His reaction was to interject into the discussion with the words “My pupil has just made a good point…”.   I cringed as the attention fleetingly turned to me before moving on.

The fact I was openly given credit is something that has really stayed with me. It was such a small thing, but is something I have never forgotten.  My pupil master did not have to do that, it was only a minor point and I didn’t expect to get recognition for it. At the time it gave me confidence and a belief that I could be a lawyer.  As I have progressed through my career, I have tried to give that same recognition and build confidence with the junior lawyers I work with. Those small things really do matter.

The second of my most vivid memories is playing a game of Mexican Wave with a fellow pupil and our pupil masters.  Our room was in an annexe with other junior members of chambers and pupils. It was a really friendly annexe and people would wander in and out of each other’s rooms during the day. The idea of the game was that when someone walked into our room we would greet them with a Mexican Wave, starting with my fellow pupil who was nearest the door. Unfortunately, the game backfired slightly. For some reason no-one came into our room that day for some considerable time. When the door eventually opened it was a senior member of chambers who walked in.

My fellow pupil, not realising this, launched herself into the air, throwing her arms above her head with a cry of “woooH”; eliciting a response from the senior member of chambers of “Good God woman!!”.

The rest of us had, of course, remained seated and denied any knowledge of what she was doing.

What is the wisest thing anyone ever said to you (and who said it)?

“I don’t want to be right, I want to get it right.  Tell me if I am wrong.” (a client). 

Who (for better or worse) has been the most influential person in your career? Why?

There are two people who have had the most influence on my career. My father started it all off, as he really wanted me to be a lawyer. As a teenager that initially made me rebel against the idea, but he gently and persistently pointed out how integral law is to society and eventually I succumbed.  I will always be grateful for the fact that I was called to the Bar just before he died. He was right, it is the right career for me; that said, I have tried my hardest to deter both of my sons from being lawyers.

The other person that has probably had the most influence on my career is Zia Bhaloo QC. I was fortunate enough to grow up professionally with her and throughout the key stages of my career she has been there to give me guidance, support and the courage to make some difficult decisions.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

You have to be interested in the work that you do. I have been involved in Telecoms work for some 17 years now and am teased for being a bit of a Telecoms bore. When the new Telecoms Code first came out in 2017, I used to carry a copy around in my handbag so I could refer to it whenever I wanted to. It is that level of interest that has kept me motivated to put in the hours of hard work. And yes you do have to “put in the hours” to become a specialist. If you haven’t already, I would recommend reading Mathew Syed’s book, Bounce.

Get a mentor and/or a sponsor. If you do not have access to one, then approach someone you respect and ask them.  If they are unable to assist, they may be able to put you in touch with someone who can.  They really can make a difference.

In particular I want to say to female and BAME lawyers, don’t be afraid to be assertive and ask for what you want/need to progress your career. I know from personal experience that female litigators are often referred to as “difficult” or “aggressive” (I was once even described as a rottweiler with lipstick!), but don’t let that put you off. The legal profession is changing, albeit slowly, and is becoming a more inclusive and diverse profession.

What’s your best friend from law school doing now?

I have unfortunately lost touch with two of my best friends from bar school, Dora Pavlides and Yasreeb Zaheed; my other best friend, David Sherborne, is a barrister at 5RB and is a bit easier to keep track of.