60-second interview: Ziva Robertson

What attracted you to McDermott Will & Emery?

I was impressed by the firm's international platform, reputation in the market, and the team in the London office. I have worked previously with a number of partners at McDermott (including Astrid Owen, who was with me at Withers) and the opportunity to build up a contentious trust and estate practice in the firm's London office was simply too good to pass.

What immediate and long-term priorities do you face in your ?new role?

The immediate priority is providing excellent service to all my clients, and ensuring continuity for the clients who followed me to my new firm. In the longer term, we aim to position the firm's London private client practice as ?a leader in the field.

In the US, McDermott has a reputation for this type of work, and together with my new partners we are committed to replicating that success ?in London.

What are your clients talking to you about at the moment?

As the world seems to shrink, families and their businesses are increasingly international in nature, and require solutions that span a number of jurisdictions and business sectors. Add the increased regulatory environment, which permeates every aspect of business life, and the result is that wealthy families need an international platform that can meet all of their diverse interests, present and, as far as possible, future.

A typical structure would involve wealth or business interests in Asia or the Middle East, with other parts of the structure situated in offshore jurisdictions, and family members who may be resident in continental Europe or the US. Any wealth planning (or dispute) would require close consideration of these different aspects to ensure best service in each jurisdiction.

Does anything concern you now or on the horizon?

The global economic and regulatory landscape, which has changed very rapidly over the last few years, has created a large measure of uncertainty: various tax and trust structures that were - and remain - lawful under the relevant legislation are being attacked as 'morally unacceptable'.

This extends not only to global conglomerates but also to private individuals who have taken steps in the past to structure their wealth in a way they (rightly) believed to be permissible. As the freedom of the individual is being eroded by prevailing public opinion, there is an increased need to 'go back to basics' and ensure that the law is clear about what is or is not allowed.

What's been your greatest professional achievement?

I have been involved in a large number of reported cases that concluded with compliments from senior judges and my peers. But the greatest compliment, and the greatest achievement, is the loyalty and confidence of my clients. Going through a trust or probate dispute can be very difficult for clients, even when the dispute is 'commercial' in nature, and especially when the parties include family members.

I always try to understand what ?the client really wishes to achieve, and how they envisage family dynamics would evolve once the dispute is over. In circumstances that can be very stressful for the client, I try to ensure that they retain a sense of balance. ?I am rewarded - and humbled - by their loyalty.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your private client career?

A good litigator wins cases, but a great one builds bridges. In family disputes, it is important to ensure that the lawyers on both sides do not create unnecessary antagonism, which ultimately can be damaging to their client's case.

Who's been your greatest mentor and why?

I blame my father for my workaholic tendencies. Like him, I sometimes forget there is life outside work. My family members issue periodic reminders, and serve as my compass and the occasional alarm clock.

Ziva Robertson is a partner at McDermott Will & Emery 

Jennifer Palmer-Violet is acting editor of Private Client Adviser