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Jim Parker
Jim Parker
Country Head for Switzerland | Butterfield Group
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
As Country Head for Butterfield Trust in Switzerland, I’m a professional trustee serving demanding global families with complex needs.
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Multi-National Families
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Providing transitional oversight and management to a large family business following a bereavement. Our work was challenging and multifaceted as it involved direct negotiations with the family as well as several agencies to avoid any unwarranted movement of assets; our work included the implementation of a joint venture with sector-specific experts. The resulting restructuring has been positively received and its valuable assets are well-positioned for the future.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Never underestimate the need for regular face to face communication. Insist on this; spend quality time with your clients. The use of technology creates efficiencies but nothing outshines direct contact.
What sets you apart from your peers?
My team and I have established a reputation as hands-on, proactive Trustees with an uncompromising focus on service. We do our level best to “keep it simple”
What is your favourite quote?
“If it’s not right, don’t do it. If it’s not true, don’t say it.” - Marcus Aurelius
“Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.” - Epictetus
Stella Mitchell-Voisin
Stella Mitchell-Voisin
Manging Director | Summit Trust
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Trust creation, management and administration
Adding value as board director on operating companies
Management of exotic assets
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Exotic Assets
Multi-National Families
Simple Structure
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Pivotal role in unlocking a litigious situation and bringing it to a successful conclusion prior to reaching court, saving significant cost in the process.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
You need to get to grips with the basics properly and then build on those foundations to create enduring client relationships with people who will value your expertise and advice. Spend time getting it right!
What sets you apart from your peers?
A can do attitude that seeks to find commercial solutions to unusual challenges. Stella is an excellent communicator and has strong and enduring relationships with beneficiaries, helping them to navigate issues and understand the choices that they have. Does not shy away from difficult situations or conversations, and tries to keep things simple and understandable.
What is your favourite quote?
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work & learning from failure.” Colin Powell
Daniel Martineau
Daniel Martineau
Executive Chairman | Summit Trust
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
“Complex” trust situations that may involve actual or potential litigation
Trusts owning active businesses
Delivering under pressure
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Helping build a very significant Impressionist/Post-Impressionist art collection for a family trust.
What sets you apart from your peers?
Problem solving and delivering difficult news
What is your favourite quote?
Ultra-High-Net Worth Individuals have Ultra High Expectations - Prepare to work hard if you expect to succeed
Xavier Isaac
Xavier Isaac
CEO | Accuro Fiduciary
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Business vision & strategy
Trust & advisory practitioner dealing with high-stakes and high value trust and wealth management issues
Relationship management
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Family Office
Multi-National Families
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Bringing several international families on board with complex cross-border assets and family situations
Assisting UHNW entrepreneurs with wealth protection and management reviews leading to the implementation of new ownership structures and wealth management solutions
Driving Accuro’s initiative to be a force for good in its trust & fiduciary industry, beyond maximizing profit
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be yourself at your best
Believe in yourself
Be fiercely determined in reaching your goals but always remind yourself that you’ve got one reputation
What sets you apart from your peers?
A strong sense of purpose in the kind of business, values and culture I want to build with my partners for the long-term
Self-awareness and cultural awareness since I spent my entire career as an expatriate between Luxembourg, Switzerland and Jersey dealing with global families
An entrepreneurial spirit and understanding, having successfully delivered with my team 2 management buy-out of our business
Genuine interest in and compassion for people
What is your favourite quote?
From Victor Hugo: “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”
Kim Grover
Kim Grover
Director | Clermont Trust
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Managing complex structures for family office relationships
Cross border issues with particular focus on UK and US resident families
Understanding the ever changing regulatory environment.
RECOMMENDED SPECIALISMS
Exotic Assets
Simple Structure
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Seeing the inflow of new business enquiries which simply arise through word of mouth and recommendations.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be interested. Give your best every day and embrace the facts
What sets you apart from your peers?
There isn’t one thing which sets me apart, I’m an all-rounder and provide a strong mix of experience, can-do’ism, and level headedness. I deliver my honest opinion to families that I work with, in a sensitive manner, even if it’s not exactly what they want to hear.
What is your favourite quote?
“None of us is as smart as all of us”. At Clermont we have a very strong team and culture- highly qualified staff working towards a common goal, simply to deliver the best service possible to the families that we serve.
Pierre-Jean Faure
Pierre-Jean Faure
Partner | Gordon S. Blair Switzerland
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
France
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Trusts and Family structures in a civil law environment
Estate Planning
International tax
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
Monitoring several cross border Family projects involving France, Switzerland and Monaco.
Adjusting ownership structures and governance models to new international regulations.
Educating new generations to sophisticated estate planning.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Be versatile, proactive and humble. Forget about the academic memo or multiple disclaimers: go straight to the point…after having carefully contemplated it!
What is your favourite quote?
“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good” John Steinbeck
Nicolas Merlino
Nicolas Merlino
Partner | Poncet Turrettini
JURISDICTIONS QUALIFIED IN
Switzerland
TOP 3 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Personal and estate planning
Succession planning
Asset holding structures
What has been the highlight of your practice over the past 12 months?
The planning and organisation of a succession and estate of one of the most successful Swiss entrepreneurs of his generation, and its post-death implementation.
What advice would you give rising stars/new lawyers in the private client world?
Concentrate on a bespoke multidisciplinary approach of files (legal/tax/financial).
What is your favourite quote?
"I am not young enough to know everything" – Oscar Wilde