George Ikonomou

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I returned to Vancouver, British Columbia, where I completed my bar admission requirements and qualified as a lawyer in Canada. Shortly thereafter, I moved back to London to work at an international law firm, where I remained until my visa expired. I took full advantage of the opportunity to live abroad and travelled extensively throughout Europe with my now-fiancee. Following my return to Vancouver, I joined my current law firm and have since been balancing a busy legal practice with the equally demanding task of planning a wedding!

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I think it’s a great career path because it opens many doors, even if you eventually decide that practicing law is not what you want to do long term. The skills you develop as a lawyer, the critical thinking, problem-solving, negotiation and communications, are valuable in virtually any profession. For me, however, I genuinely enjoy the practice of law and finding practical solutions for clients. No two files are exactly the same, which keeps working interesting and rewarding.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a member of the Exeter Law Society, the Canadian Law Society, the Greek and Greek-Cypriot Society, and the BUCS Volleyball team.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The quality of the educators. It was clear that the professors genuinely cared about their students and were invested in our success. I particularly enjoyed participating in the Legal Clinic, which gave students the opportunity to assist members of the local community while gaining practical legal experience. I believe my year was the first cohort to take part in the program. I’m also still in touch with a few of the professors today, which speaks to the lasting relationships they built with their students.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I made some great friends through the sports teams and various societies I was involved in, many of whom I am still close with today. Those friendships, along with the sense of community on campus, made my university experience especially memorable.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I knew that Exeter had an excellent reputation and a beautiful campus, both of which appealed to me. My brother was living in London at the time and had met several people who spoke very highly of Exeter, which gave me confidence in my decision. Looking back, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The real-world legal scenarios brought to life in class, the opportunity to participate in negotiation competitions, and the networking opportunities throughout the program. Those experiences were both enjoyable and practical, allowing me to apply what I was learning outside the classroom while building confidence, communication skills, and professional connections that have been valuable throughout my career.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Take advantage of every networking opportunity and don’t be afraid to ask people for a coffee to learn more about what they do. I would also encourage students to pursue internships or work experience wherever possible. The connections you make and the experience you gain can be just as valuable as what you learn in the classroom.

What are your plans for the future?

Right now, my focus is on getting married and enjoying that next chapter of life. Professionally, I may consider writing the SQE1 and SQE2 exams to become dual-qualified in both Canada and England & Wales, but that’s not at the top of my priority list right now. For the time being, I’m focused on continuing to develop my practice and seeing where the profession takes me.