Private client practice increasing in popularity upon lawyer qualification

Which area of law should an ambitious and intellectually curious lawyer aim for upon qualification? A growing number are deciding that the dust has come off the private client world.

Writing on behalf of the Law Society Gazette, Katharine Freeland spoke to Jo Summers, co-head of our Private Wealth & Tax team, to find out what private client work looks like today, for this feature on the evolution of private client practice.

The article explores the lure of private client practice for the newly-qualified solicitor – from the enduring relationships forged with clients and their families, to the ever-interesting nature of the work that can come across your desk each day.

Private client work has escaped from the doldrums of the early 2000s, when leading corporate law firms ejected private client colleagues. Now they are back, taking a seat at the top table.

This is no surprise to its practitioners, who have long seen the virtues of forging close, enduring relationships with some of the world’s most successful international families. That combination delivered personal job satisfaction and healthy profits.

What the dedicated high street will-drafter and crafter of international tax planning have in common is a focus on the individual and the question of how their wishes can best be effected.

Combining the intellectual rigour of tax planning with the need for emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt quickly to the prevailing political will, private client is an increasingly attractive practice area.

Read the full feature here.