60-second interview with Kyra Motley TEP
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Private Wealth Partner, Kyra Motley speaks to STEP about what it means to have won the International Team of the Year Award in 2023.
What is your role within your firm?
I am a Partner in the Private Client & Tax department, specialising in multi-jurisdictional wealth planning, international tax and trusts, succession planning and family governance for high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients, their families and family offices.
How did it feel to win a STEP Private Client Award (PCA)?
It was an honour to have been named ‘International Law Firm of the Year‘ for the second year in a row. The award is testament to the trust we have built with wealthy individuals and families across the world and our legacy as a 300-year-old Private Wealth law firm.
Why is winning a STEP PCA important to your firm?
This award win reinforces the impressive reputation Boodle Hatfield has in the Private Wealth market. For the last 300 years, we have been passionate about providing stellar legal advice and have adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals and families, particularly as the boundaries between personal life and business life continue to overlap, increasingly over many jurisdictions. It is great to know our work in the international market has been recognised.
What are the main challenges facing your organisation/ practitioners at the moment, and how will you deal with them?
Cyber security is a big issue now, increasing all the time. Like other law firms, our work is highly confidential. Even within the firm, I have clients who are so private their name is not listed publicly on any of our systems. Protecting client data has become one of the hot topics for clients when considering which lawyers to instruct for their work to the point I do not even have a notebook anymore.
What do you like best about your job?
Working in the international market, I am constantly kept on my toes. No two days are the same. I am known for my ‘hands-on approach’ and ‘attention to detail’ but I really value the role I assume as the trusted advisor. I am equally challenged and motivated by the fantastic colleagues that I work with every day and seeing the emerging talent coming through the business.
…and what do you feel is most worthwhile?
Finding solutions to complex matters for my clients, and knowing they have complete trust in myself and the teams’ abilities.
What would you say to a young person thinking of a career in this industry?
Take every opportunity that is handed to you and embrace the challenges you may face. You will only learn from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Act passionately, think rationally, be yourself.
Where do you see future growth, both in terms of sectors and jurisdictions?
We already have a leading reputation in the Middle East, and pride ourselves on the team and our work in this jurisdiction. We equally have a growing presence in the US, Asia, Africa and Europe and are looking at ways to strengthen those ties.
