Vlad Portnoy

What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?

Many exciting and challenging legal matters, including several highly coveted fiduciary Court appointments

What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?

Listen to your clients. Understand not only their immediate needs but also their hopes, dreams and motivations. Always try to understand your client better as a human being before bringing it back to the legal or business talk.

What sets you apart from your peers?

Personal touch and care. Also, I am bilingual in English and Russian. Having received high school education in Russia, and having gone through graduate and law programs in the United States, I keenly understand the way both countries operate and the way their citizens think and behave. As court-certified interpreter, I can translate not only between the two languages but also convey ideas, so nothing is ever lost in translation.

What is your favourite quote?

"I can accept failure. But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan