What it’s like to work at Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC

Our drive to attract the most talented people, the provision of a professional and respectful work environment, with an emphasis on work-life balance to foster and support individual development and self-realisation, along with opportunities to work in an international team and gain international experience, are what make the firm stand out,” says Angie Hadjicosta, Business Operations Manager at Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC, with evident pride.

“Across all our offices in Cyprus, we have a large number of employees who have been with the firm for many years and progressed in their individual careers. This is a strong testament to our positive work environment and the feeling of the firm’s members that they are indeed ‘In Good Company’,” she adds.

The firm was founded in Nicosia in 1991 by the late Michael Kyprianou and, over the years, it has grown into one of the largest law firms in Cyprus with additional offices in Limassol and Paphos, offering a wide range of legal services to its local and international clientele. The calibre of its lawyers, its steady growth and vast experience across a range of industry sectors have established it as a leading law firm and preferred choice for international clients looking for top-tier counsel.

With access to experts in other jurisdictions, both in-house through its own offices in Athens, Birkirkara, Dubai, Frankfurt, Tel Aviv, London and Kiev, and also through its exclusive membership of select international networks such as Multilaw and World Link for Law, the firm seamlessly provides consistent high-quality cross-border services to clients. At present, Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC has over 60 practicing advocates and a total of 120 employees across its offices.

The firm was quick to realise that investment in its employees was key to its business success, which is why, as Angie Hadjicosta explains, it offers an annual trainee programme for graduates. Successful candidates are mentored by Partners and Senior Associates at the firm for 10-12 months before their bar examinations, which enables them to gain valuable knowledge and experience and an opportunity to join the firm as associates.

It is important for companies and leaders to create a safe culture, one in which employees are encouraged to speak up and feel confident to grow and, she tells GOLD, all members of the firm across all departments are encouraged to continue their further studies.

“A number of employees continue their education via distance learning and the majority take online courses and participate in webinars organised by the International Bar Association, the Cyprus Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry or other webinars that are offered in-house. Providing a clear career path, training opportunities and mentorship support, whilst encouraging open communication and inter-departmental collaboration, helps us foster a culture of trust,” she says and adds, “An annual performance review ensures that great performance is recognized and areas of improvement are communicated to support each member of the firm in reaching their full potential. We maintain a strict anti-harassment policy and, in 2022, the firm was awarded with the ‘Good Practice’ certification issued by the National Certification Body for the implementation of good practices on gender equality in the working environment.” Being socially responsible is a major issue for the firm, which strives to lead by example and make a positive contribution to society.

“We regularly support various charitable organisations, such as One Dream One Wish, the association for children with cancer and similar diseases. Such initiatives also inspire firm members, many of whom are registered with and volunteering in legal, business or charity associations. The wellbeing of our employees is of great importance to the firm,” she says. “We offer professional training and mentorship opportunities and, wherever possible, we provide flexible work arrangements, such as remote working and flexible hours, and we organise off-site fun events.”

Listening to Hadjicosta outlining the firm’s corporate philosophy, I was glad to discover that Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC, did in fact realise that our work environment directly affects how we interact, how we grow and whether we develop or not; and feeling safe and free to be creative within the four walls of our workplace is the only way for societies to remain sustainable, productive and above all, inclusive.

(Photos by Michael Kyprianou)

This article first appeared in the July edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.