Member Profile
Gilly Kennedy-Smith
Partner | Mourant
Office Location: Guernsey
Jurisdiction
Guernsey
Top Specialisms
Estates: Planning
Family Office
Trusts: Planning
Connect
Professional Biography
I am an English lawyer and a Guernsey Advocate; I head up the award winning non-contentious trust and private client team at Mourant, in Guernsey. I have nearly two decades of experience in advising UHNW international clients, local and Swiss trust companies and family offices on structuring decisions, the establishment and running of family offices and estate and succession matters to ensure the smooth transition of wealth. I regularly work with local trustees advising them on their fiduciary responsibilities and the good governance of their structures, as well as advising on the set up and running of philanthropic structures. I work closely with my dispute resolution colleagues as well as the corporate team. I have worked in both London and Guernsey, with a focus on Middle Eastern and Swiss clients. I am STEP and ATT (tax technician) qualified. I was recently appointed as the international correspondent for Private Client Business and I am a regular speaker internationally. I have also contributed to several publications.
Question : What drew you to specialise in private client law/ wealth advisory?
Answer: People are interesting and no two families are the same. Each family is unique and has its their own priorities, quirks and dynamics. I enjoy working with the families to develop structures that work for them, that are enduring and which address their par
Question : For lawyers entering private client law, what are key skills you think are essential?
Answer: Being a private client lawyer is about having a combination of skills. You obviously need technical skills but you also need the ability to be adaptable (as tax laws constantly change frequently and clients are always on the move internationally) and you
Question : With the evolving landscape of the private client world, what are recent trends or shifts you are excited to explore?
Answer: It's a really interesting time for private client work. Good communication continues to be a constant theme and is often the difference between preserving planning long term and litigation on a succession event. There is also a shift of wealth globally an
Question : Where is your favourite place to take a peer for a cocktail or coffee?
Answer: Somewhere local that they've not been to before.