Staff profile: Krishna Patel

Position:  Associate Solicitor in the Private Client Department  

Time at Gullands: 

I began my journey with Gullands in August 2021.

Main responsibilities and duties:  

Working with individuals and families, providing legal advice on a variety of matters such as investments, taxation, estate management, wills, and testamentary issues.  My main objective is to provide advice, which will help preserve, build and maintain wealth and establish trusts.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in the legal sector: 

Law is a field of study that profoundly impacts and pervades society and humanity.  It has always captivated me to see the apparent relation law has to people and the world. Reading Law at University only reaffirmed my interest in a legal career.  I find I thrive being in a position to help individuals.  To me, the law is much wider than the principles and rules in a country; rather it is about morality and humanity.  By pursuing a career in law I can pursue my ambition of assisting individuals in potentially some of the most difficult times of their lives.

What is the best part of the job:   

The intellectual challenge is the most enjoyable aspect for me.  Private client is a sector where both the law and the client’s circumstances can be complex.  The clients have a range of concerns and priorities and the key is in recognising that one size doesn’t fit all.  I find it gratifying to work closely with individuals to achieve an outcome that is tailored to suit their and their family’s needs.

If you were not in this job, what would you be doing:     

I would consider Journalism.  Journalism again combines interview and investigatory skills through speaking with individuals but also keeps my real interest in being able to communicate people’s stories and create meaningful impact and change. 

What changes would you like to see happen in the law in the next 10-20 years:

As people are living longer but not always healthier, demand for private client services is increasing.  The COVID-19 surge has focused clients’ minds on the need to get their personal affairs in order concerning their wills, powers of attorney, and even succession planning. However, this also means that fee earners like myself have had to resort to seeking instructions via online platforms (which is a welcomed and needed change) but it could lead to a rise in claims in the future where there is a concern instructions were not provided independently.  I would like to see guidelines set in place to avoid any potential issue for this and I believe that the legal sector as a whole will need to consider robust IT systems to be implemented to avoid any cyber challenges.

What do you like doing in your spare time:   

I love trying new foods and tasting diverse cuisines with my family and friends.  So, most of my weekends are spent exploring new restaurants and socialising.  Eventually, I hope to have tried every restaurant in London.