In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Matt Hotson, Group Chief Operating Officer at Mishcon de Reya, one of the UK’s most distinctive law firms. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, top-tier disputes work, and sustained double-digit growth, Mishcon has built a reputation for marrying legal excellence with bold strategic thinking.

Matt shares how his role as COO touches every part of the firm that isn’t directly about practising law and is essential to helping lawyers do their best work with clients. From codifying values and vision to structuring operations and measuring success, he offers a candid look at how Mishcon makes strategy real.

In their conversation, they explore:

-              How the firm keeps culture alive and evolving across 1,000 lawyers and support staff.

-              Why writing down strategy, and debating it, has been central to Mishcon’s growth.

-              How operations teams protect assets, enable client work, and fuel growth across the firm.

-              Why executing a 70% decision well often beats waiting for 100% certainty.

-              How AI and cross-disciplinary skills are reshaping what it means to be a modern law firm.

-              The risks of doing nothing, and the hidden costs of inaction.