Jacqueline Shek
+85221736324
Jacqueline Shek
Executive Director | ZEDRA
OFFICE
JURISDICTION
Hong Kong
NSW, Australia
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Private Investment Office
Multi-National Families
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Wealth planning
International trust structuring
Family Governance
CROSS-BORDER CLIENT EXPERIENCE IN
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
We have had some very interesting intergenerational wealth transfer cases this year, transitioning wealth from patriarch’s/ matriarch’s/ their estates to their children’s different trusts or other holding structures. We have also had the pleasure of creating structures for some very smart energetic and interesting entrepreneurs in the financial services industry industry as well as in the AI, fintech, biotech space.
How did you get into private client?
I am qualified both as an accountant and as a lawyer. I was practising for many years as a tax lawyer dealing with cross borders tax structuring, funds set up, etc, then specialised in private wealth structuring.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be curious. Be nosey. Dealing with sophisticated UHNW families require the technical ability to deal with some very big and complex commercial transactions, but at the same time, you are dealing with people and their families on a very personal level and that requires the personal touch to really understand your client’s values and underlying concerns.
What is your favourite quote?
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
I like to travel and I love to be outdoors; hiking or on the beach. During the pandemic, I have grown attached to my Kindle and taken to watching way too many docu-series and movies on Netflix.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
Joël Robuchon’s restaurants
Bernadette Carey
+1 345 749 2025
Bernadette Carey
Partner | Carey Olsen
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Cayman Islands
New Zealand
Australia
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Contentious trusts and estates
Multi-party cross border disputes
Wealth structuring and restructuring
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Growing the Cayman Islands Trust & Private Wealth Team in the Cayman Islands, and working on some fascinating court applications with my peers in the Cayman market.
How did you get into private client?
A natural evolution from being an offshore litigator with an interest in all things trusts and estates related.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Take time to get to know your clients and what motivates them, focus on staying up to date with industry developments and trends so your contributions will be valuable, and prioritise making and growing strong connections with your peers in the market both locally and internationally.
What is your favourite quote?
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr Seuss.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Snorkelling with my children, running (when it is not too hot) and - back in the good old days - travelling.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
The Brasserie.
Ashley Fife
Ashley Fife
Counsel | Carey Olsen
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Bermuda
NSW, Australia
England and Wales
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Private and commercial trusts
Family office
Regulatory
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Becoming STEP Bermuda Branch Chairman
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
You can learn from those that disagree with you too
What is your favourite quote?
“Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist” George Carlin
Jonathan Mok
Jonathan Mok
Principal | Jonathan Mok Legal
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Hong Kong
England and Wales
New South Wales, Australia
Tasmania, Australia
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Matrimonial and family disputes
Trust and Probate disputes, mental incapacity applications
Private clients advisory and structuring
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
I continue to represent UHNW clients in dealing with their contentious and non-contentious matters including wealth planning arrangements for their next generation.
How did you get into private client?
When I came back to HK in 1992, I joined a firm known for divorce. I was always very interested in litigation – so I focused on matrimonial and criminal defence work. When I joined Johnson Stokes & Master in 1995, they needed someone with that expertise, as part of their full service offering. I did private client work as a natural progression. I always see myself as a 100% private client lawyer, continuing to do that for 22 years in JSM Mayer Brown, leaving in 2017 to establish my own firm Jonathan Mok Legal.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Given that private client is a niche practice, they should have a good foundation by learning from the specialists in this field. For the contentious rising stars, they should aim to develop their advocacy skills by representing clients in court hearings so that they can acquire hands on experience which is essential for advising clients in litigious matters
What is your favourite quote?
A good settlement is one which leaves the parties feeling a bit dissatisfied and at the same time they don’t regard themselves as having achieved complete success in their claim.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Private client takes up so much time! I enjoy exercising – jogging and swimming.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
There are many interesting restaurants such as The Harwood Arms or Dishoom in London. For Tokyo, Effervescence or Narisawa which specialise in modern French cuisine with a Japanese component. Candlenut in Singapore serves high-end Peranakan cuisine.
David Russell AM QC
David Russell AM QC
Barrister | Outer Temple Chambers
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Australia
United Arab Emirates
England and Wales
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Family succession structures
Family management structures
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
A Court of Appeal application in Dubai which will set out at some length how the structures in the DIFC can be used by families and whether they meet Sharia requirements.
How did you get into private client?
Through tax, which was my speciality initially. I was the President of the Tax Institute of Australia, then I joined STEP and became the successive chair of STEP NSW, Australia and STEP worldwide.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Remember that you are part of a profession that, provided its constraints are respected and rigorously followed, contributes much to the future of the world and human freedom. Never underestimate your capacity or diminish your ambition.
What is your favourite quote?
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Politics and history.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
Gaia, Dubai.
Jeffrey Elkinson
Jeffrey Elkinson
Director | Conyers
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Ireland
England and Wales
Hong Kong
Australia
United States (NY, MA)
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Trusts
Arbitration
Telecoms
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Not working from home.
How did you get into private client?
Junior Counsel in the Thyssen-Bornemisza litigation which started in the late '90s.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be patient and enjoy your work.
What is your favourite quote?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Wayne Gretzky.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Playing soccer, water-skiing , mechanics and reading.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
FourWays, Bermuda.