In the Spotlight: Beatrice Puoti

I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was a little girl. I have seventy-six first cousins, and every one of us is either a doctor or a lawyer.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?

My mother was a professional working mother. I've never had any thought of limitations in my career as a woman or otherwise. Even my grandmother ran a bank – in that time, of course, that was unheard of. 

What are your proudest professional moments?

Becoming a Partner at Burges Salmon as a foreign woman who didn't speak the language very well (I promise I've actually improved!)

Helping to set up, and seeing the growth of the private wealth sector at Burges Salmon to what it is today, and becoming the Head of Sector.  

Dancing the Argentinian tango with my Head of Department for charity.

Did you have a mentor who supported you in your early career? What was the most valuable thing they taught you?

My department Partners supported me from the very beginning, and allowed me to follow my ideas for the growth of the practice. The most valuable lesson they taught me is to believe in and support others, and to facilitate their growth as much as you can.

What advice would you give a trainee just starting out?

Make the most of your learning time. Work hard. Play hard. Make sure you choose what you like at qualification, and not just what is available. 

What is the most unusual or shocking request you've ever had from a client?

To deliver a house-key to a butler on a royal plane at Gatwick, which the client had sent for this purpose. The client had forgotten it in the UK… 

What's your favourite midnight snack when you're in late from the office?

Hummus.

What was your top lockdown box-set?

I spent a lot of time binge-watching Game of Thrones and Schitt's Creek, both at the behest of my children. Both were brilliant, in very different ways. 

What do you do when you're not working? Any hobbies?

Cooking – especially if it's for family and friends. 

What would you do if you weren't a lawyer?

I would run a posh agriturismo by the sea, and make my own olive-oil, wine and mozzarella.  

Where can you see yourself in ten years?

By the sea, running my agriturismo, and drinking my own wine. 

What is the book you'd recommend to everyone?

War & Peace.

You're allowed to go on a (socially distant!) walk with anyone from history, who do you choose?

Sophocles. You could spend hours discussing life. 

What song will never fail to get you on the dance floor?

Anything from the Mamma Mia soundtrack… or Mamma Mia 2. Having said that at Villa d'Este with DJ Paolo, anything.