John Richmond
John Richmond
MD, Bermuda | Butterfield Trust
OFFICE
JURISDICTION
Bermuda
RECOMMENDS SPECIALISMS
Exotic Assets
Multinational Families
Simple Structures
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Dynastic trust structures for UHNW global families
Generational wealth transfer with increased focus on sustainable and impact
investing with an emphasis on ESG
CROSS-BORDER CLIENT EXPERIENCE IN
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Adjusting to the different challenges that COVID-19 has presented. Our business traditionally thrives off face-to-face contact with clients, so to be able to adapt to a new model and actually increase client interaction has been fantastic. I don’t see client travel disappearing entirely, however it is clear that remote, digital meetings will comprise a larger part of what we do going forward, and that resonates with the next generation of our clients in terms of mitigating our carbon footprint.
How did you get into private client?
I began my career as a Management Trainee with a local bank here in Bermuda, which gave me the opportunity to experience various aspects of finance. Trusts intrigued me, given the strong legal aspect required and I haven’t looked back since. That was 26 years ago.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be engaged and listen. Be responsive, but with your own conviction. A client may not always like what you have to say, but they should respect it (especially if you are proven correct).
What is your favourite quote?
Out of adversity comes opportunity.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
I find myself talking to lawyers a lot… I like golf too.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
My wife and I have our local here in Bermuda (Blu restaurant) which thankfully we are able to visit since the original lockdown period ended. Once we are able to travel again we will most likely visit one of our favourite restaurants in Edinburgh―Castle Terrace.
Michael Neff
Michael Neff
Managing Director for Bermuda and International Wealth | Butterfield Trust
JURISDICTION
Bermuda
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Financial Advisory
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Asset management, wealth management and financial risk management.
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Getting Butterfield through COVID. We actually received a Global Finance Outstanding Crisis Leadership award for our community outreach and management of the business during the pandemic.
How did you get into private client?
I began my career at Chemical Bank in their Private Banking Group… and the rest is history.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Focus on emerging trends, particularly ESG and NextGen.
What is your favourite quote?
“You have nothing to fear except fear itself,” Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
I’ve won five national championships in sailing. I also know how to run a dairy farm (it’s in the family!)
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
Ascot’s in Bermuda.
Francine Mason
Francine Mason
Senior Partner | Rawlinson & Hunter
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Bermuda
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Multi-National families
Linda Longworth
Linda Longworth
Managing Director | Moore Global
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Bermuda
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Family Office
Jonathan Dunlop
Jonathan Dunlop
Vice President, Trust Services, Bermuda | Butterfield Trust
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Bermuda
TOP AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Working with HNW families and advisors in order to assist them with international planning and structuring.
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Trusts
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Less (no) travel, and being able to enjoy the beautiful experiences that Bermuda has to offer.
How did you get into UHNWI work?
My father was a Trust Officer early in his career. He spoke well of the job. I had stopped listening to him years ago, but this stayed with me, and I followed him into it.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Read industry-related articles, and meet as many peers as you can.
What is your favourite quote?
Let Everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final. -Rainer Maria Rilke
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Sailing and Trap & Skeet shooting; Bermuda is good for both. I also have guitars that I sometimes pick-up and try to play. I don't have much opportunity for downhill skiing anymore.
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
Restaurants are open in Bermuda. But when we can travel again, I mostly miss a pint of English Bitters in a proper pub. It could be any pub with a good selection, but if I had to pick one it would be the Bag O’ Nails near Victoria Station. I also enjoy Vietnamese food, which is not available here.
Jonathan Conder
Jonathan Conder
Partner | Macfarlanes
JURISDICTION
England and Wales
Bermuda
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Family business governance
Philanthropy and charitable giving
Family offices
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Heading the Private Client department for 12 years until 2017 and making the transition to a full time fee-earning partner over the last 12 months.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Work hard.
What is your favourite quote?
“Put not your trust in money but put your money in trust,” Oliver Wendell Holmes.
What is the main area of growth you predict for the next 12 months?
For the next 12 months the biggest area of growth I predict will be as more movement of people in and out of the UK, while the biggest challenges will be in how best to adapt to changes caused by the pandemic after it is under control; reengaging with contacts; tax increases.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry, things turned out ok; charge by value not time; continue to take risks.
What are three top tips for dealing with your clients remotely?
Do more yourself; but use it where possible to involve trainees more than you can normally; stay in touch even if you are not working on a project for them; use video as much as they will tolerate.
Shân Warnock-Smith QC
Shân Warnock-Smith QC
Queen's Counsel | ICT Chambers and 5 Stone Buildings
JURISDICTION
Cayman Islands
England and Wales
British Virgin Islands
Trinidad and Tobago
Barbados
DIFC
Ad hoc admissions in Bermuda and Hong Kong
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Advice and litigation in connection with all aspects of trusts and succession planning vehicles.
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
The Court of Final Appeal’s decision in G and DBS Trustee. It was significant and such a fundamental issue for everyone involved in trusts.
How did you get into private client?
I started life as a private client lawyer (and not much of a litigator, really). It was only as the years went by and international trusts became much more regularly used that I got involved in the international nature of the work. Inevitably, as it was international, part was going to be litigious. I was a private client advisor, and the spin off was litigation. I feel very strongly that this is the way around it should be -proper trust lawyers, rather than general litigators,turning their hand to trust litigation.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Communicate! The most important characteristic of a first-class private client lawyer is the ability to communicate with and relate to lay and professional clients and other advisers.
What is your favourite quote?
"Dignity, always dignity." Singing in the Rain
Do you have any outside interests or hobbies?
Interior design, exercise and jigsaws (it’s the only thing I ever do slowly!).
When the restaurants reopen, where would you like to go?
Bacaro, in Cayman. A wonderful outdoor area – and my son is captain of the Bacaro football team.
Where have you seen growth in your practice over the last year?
Reorganising trust structures as UHNWIs choose safer places to live, such as Cayman, in light of the pandemic.
What is the main area of growth you predict for the next 12 months?
Even more trustee blessing applications to approve such reorganisations.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be confident in your abilities but never believe your own publicity.
