Shining lights in troubled times
Following 18 months of uncertainty due to the global pandemic, one thing is certain – our members have shone brightly in times of darkness, adapting to a new normal and continuing to make a difference to their clients.
More than 535 guests from 37 countries signed up to attend the STEP Private Client Awards, held on 23 September, popping the champagne and enjoying the black‑tie celebration from the comfort of their homes, or in office boardrooms with colleagues, as we recognised the achievements of practitioners, teams and firms from around the world.
Over the following pages, we present the winners of each of the Awards ‘handed out’ on the night. This year saw an impressive 297 entries, with the expert judging panel shortlisting 66 firms and 12 individuals from across 23 jurisdictions. Finalists included individuals and firms from Australia, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, Mauritius, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
Special congratulations go to Simon Morgan TEP, recipient of the Geoffrey Shindler Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession. As STEP’s worldwide Chair in 2020, Simon is applauded for his contributions to the Society as it grappled with a global pandemic, while helping members to adapt and thrive through these difficult times.
The STEP Lifetime Achievement Award went to Patricia Wass TEP for her dedication and commitment to mental capacity law and practice.
A notable mention must also go to our Young Practitioner of the Year, Jade Gani, who selflessly offered her services for free to NHS staff and vulnerable members of the community.
Many congratulations to all our deserving winners across the 17 categories.
For the second year running, the World Literacy Foundation was STEP’s Private Client Awards charity partner. For the next two years, it will use your donations to invest in the education and literacy skills of vulnerable children worldwide, so that they can reach their full potential.
So far, we have raised GBP66,560 from attendees’ and entrants’ generous contributions.
Next year, we hope to see you in person at the STEP Private Client Awards, to be held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 14 September 2022. Entries for next year’s awards open on 31 January 2022.
Accountancy Team of the Year
Winner: KPMG
The judges said:
‘KPMG provides a comprehensive offering for truly global families with complex requirements. Its footprint in most key jurisdictions enables it to service its clients in‑house. It makes full use of its size and workforce not only to establish the depth and breadth of its practice, but also to contribute to the wider profession.’
Kindly sponsored by Leo Trust Switzerland
Headquartered in Zurich, Leo Trust Switzerland has been serving its clients since 1980 with a clear and committed vision of providing quality and timely fiduciary services based on expert knowledge. The company’s innovative and foresighted strategy places it as one of the leading first movers regarding crypto‑related services.
Advocate of the Year
Winner: Eason Rajah QC TEP, Ten Old Square
The judges said:
‘We felt this year’s winner was simply outstanding, not only because of the complexity of his work, but also his forward‑thinking approach and personal ethos to his clients, colleagues and the wider profession. Eason’s expertise and high‑profile work over the past 12 months amply demonstrate that he is one of the foremost advocates of the private client bar both onshore and offshore.’
Boutique Firm of the Year
Winner: NIKA LAW
The judges said:
‘NIKA LAW operates in a challenging sector and really stood out for its compassion and commitment to those who cannot afford or are worried about obtaining legal services. Its submission provided some impressive examples of services that truly have the interests of the client at heart – a really strong winner.’
Charity Team of the Year
Winner: Withersworldwide
The judges said:
‘Our winner’s submission demonstrated the firm’s vast international breadth coupled with deep and integrated expertise, as well as showcasing its creativity and expertise in helping critical organisations navigate the pandemic.’
Contentious Trust and Estates Team of the Year (Large Firm)
Winner: Farrer & Co
The judges said:
‘We were impressed by Farrer & Co’s collection of high‑value, high‑profile, cross‑jurisdictional and complex cases. The firm demonstrates in‑depth expertise and cross‑departmental collaboration, which contributes to cross referrals and a high‑quality offering to clients.’
Contentious Trust and Estates Team of the Year (Midsize Firm)
Winner: Forsters
The judges said:
‘Forsters stood out for its excellent range of skills as well as its multi‑jurisdictional and high‑value complex cases. Its cross‑departmental approach and collaboration within the firm provide a holistic approach to the client’s needs. Its welcome commitment to professional membership bodies is also noteworthy.’
Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year
Winner: BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors
The judges said:
‘BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors demonstrates a deep understanding of family business and a bespoke, client‑friendly approach. This allows it to create customised solutions, backed up with solid technical expertise and a strong commitment to continuing professional development and education.’
Financial Advisor Team of the Year
Winner: AB Bernstein Private Wealth Management
The judges said:
‘AB Bernstein Private Wealth Management stood out for being highly specialist in its area, with a commitment to understanding families’ personal values and drivers. Its submission clearly demonstrated how its services are integrated with wider estate‑planning issues and how it builds relationships with other advisors.’
International Legal Team of the Year (Large Firm)
Winner: HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS
The judges said:
‘HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS has global breadth, with the ability to pull its various teams together to deliver seamless solutions for the client. We commend its clever adaptation of technology to create proprietary tools and solutions for its clients.’
International Legal Team of the Year (Midsize Firm)
Winner: Forsters
The judges said:
‘We were impressed by Forsters’ innovative use of IT in client‑facing applications and its strong and tested collaborations with international partners and a network of intermediaries. The winning team has an open‑minded approach to continuing professional development, incorporating soft skills as well as technical expertise.’
Investment Team of the Year
Winner: Cerno Capital Partners
The judges said:
‘Cerno Capital Partners stands out in this category as a nimble firm that really understands what its clients want and delivers on that consistently. Its strong performance demonstrates good management of risk over these quite volatile periods.’
Kindly sponsored by Katten
Katten is a full‑service law firm with more than 700 attorneys in locations across the US, London and Shanghai. Its award‑winning Trusts and Estates team counsels high‑net‑worth individuals, families, family offices, banks, trust companies, wealth management advisors and non‑profit entities of all sizes.
Multi‑Family Office Team of the Year
Winner: Stonehage Fleming
The judges said:
‘Stonehage Fleming has its finger firmly on the pulse of current trends. It demonstrates expertise in the full spectrum of family office needs and leads the way in innovation and excellence in the delivery of client services.’
Private Client Legal Team of the Year (Large Firm)
Winner: Burges Salmon
The judges said:
‘We were impressed by Burges Salmon’s seamless service delivery through the pandemic; the clear evidence of bespoke, multi‑disciplinary advice on a broad spectrum of complex issues; and its pleasing focus on practical solutions for clients.’
Kindly sponsored by Ampla Finance
Ampla Finance is a specialist lender, providing two types of ‘legacy loans’. The first is an ‘executor loan’, used for payment of inheritance tax or settling estate liabilities. The second is a ‘beneficiary loan’, enabling beneficiaries to access up to 70 per cent of their inheritance pre‑ or post‑grant of probate.
Private Client Legal Team of the Year (Midsize Firm)
Winner: Boodle Hatfield
The judges said:
‘Boodle Hatfield stood out among a strong field of finalists for its impressive client roll, its broad range of skill sets and its ability to advise on cross‑jurisdictional complex issues with tact and efficiency.’
Trust Company of the Year (Midsize Firm)
Winner: Accuro
The judges said:
‘Accuro’s focus on values and client service impressed us. In particular, we admired the support it provides its employees, its ownership model, its healthy annual growth figures and its commitment to its values. This includes legally binding changes to its articles of association committing to having a positive impact on society and the environment.’
Trust Company of the Year (Large Firm)
Winner: IQ-EQ
The judges said:
‘Aside from IQ‑EQ’s impressive global reach and wide range of asset management categories, its emphasis on excellent client service is exemplary. It showed clear evidence of strong management and growth, with innovation and education at the forefront of its accomplishments.’
Kindly sponsored by McDermott Will & Emery
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. With more than 20 locations in six countries, the team works seamlessly across practices, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective, and often unexpected, solutions that propel success.
Young Practitioner of the Year
Winner: Jade Gani, Aston Bond
The judges said:
‘In a very strong field, Jade stood out not only for her considerable professional accomplishments, but also for her selfless commitment to others through her pro bono and charitable efforts. She devoted significant time, energy and passion to those less fortunate. During a year when many were challenged, Jade rose above the fray in several ways, including providing free wills for NHS staff.’
People’s Choice – Trusted Advisor of the Year
Winner: Camilla Wallace TEP, Wedlake Bell
The judges said:
‘This year’s winner of the Trusted Advisor of the Year Award, voted for by STEP members, is a highly professional, successful and aspirational role model for junior lawyers. Camilla has exceptional interpersonal skills, empathy and a quick technical mind. Her service to her clients in a difficult year went above and beyond, winning the admiration and respect of her peers.’
Special Awards
Geoffrey Shindler Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession
Winner: Simon Morgan TEP, Vistra (Jersey)
The judges said:
‘In unprecedented circumstances, Simon proved himself worthy of recognition as an individual who made an outstanding contribution to the private client profession last year. As STEP’s worldwide Chair in 2020, he successfully spearheaded STEP’s response to the global pandemic, keeping the organisation moving forward, adapting to find new ways of working and helping members continue to thrive through these difficult times. Simon has contributed profoundly both to STEP and the wider profession – all while continuing his “day job” as Partner and Head of Private Clients at Vistra Jersey.’
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Patricia Wass TEP, Enable Law
The judges said:
‘Patricia’s dedication and contribution to the wider profession and the private client industry are astonishing. She is acknowledged by her peers as a leader in her field. Patricia is recognised for her expertise, passion and commitment to mental capacity law and practice, and her contribution to the profession in general and STEP in particular. She has made an outstanding contribution to the reputation of lawyers as a force for good in society. She is a worthy winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.’
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