Meet Rachael Armstrong, private client partner, who talked to us about her first year at Mills & Reeve.
What has surprised you most about the Mills & Reeve private client team?
I’ve been genuinely surprised by the kindness and generosity of spirit within the team. Joining a new firm can often feel daunting, but I couldn’t have hoped for a warmer or more welcoming environment. Every individual brings their own strengths, and together these combine to create an exceptionally strong and supportive team with a real sense of heart.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I take great satisfaction in educating people and helping them achieve their goals. There’s something incredibly rewarding about meeting clients who feel nervous or uncertain and seeing them leave with clarity, confidence and a clear plan for the future. Being someone they trust and regard as part of their inner circle is a privilege I value deeply.
Why did you choose Mills & Reeve?
Since moving to Birmingham more than nine years ago, I’ve always held the Mills & Reeve private client team in the highest regard. The breadth and depth of expertise across the team is exceptional. The opportunity to work alongside colleagues who are recognised nationally for their leading work in areas such as agriculture, family investment companies, trusts, owner managed businesses and estate administration is a genuine privilege.
What is the best advice you’ve received and follow?
My parents always encouraged me to be kind, and this advice has stayed with me throughout my career. I strive to treat my clients in the same way I would want my own parents to be treated. We often meet clients at vulnerable moments in their lives, so it’s vital they feel safe, supported and free from judgement. I make a point of reassuring clients that there’s no such thing as a stupid question and encourage open, honest conversations so they feel comfortable sharing even the most sensitive details.
What is the best professional compliment you have been given?
After advising a couple on their succession planning and wills last year, the wife told me that coming to see me felt like coming home. That comment has stayed with me. My aim is always to ease clients’ worries and help them feel confident, informed and reassured in the decisions they make.
If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what do you think you’d be doing now?
I would most likely have become an accountant. I’ve always enjoyed working with figures, which is why I particularly enjoy drafting estate accounts. They provide a clear and accurate reflection of what has taken place during estate administration. I also believe there is real value in showing clients the numbers behind their succession planning, particularly when discussing tax. Seeing the figures themselves often makes the implications far more tangible than simply hearing that inheritance tax is charged at 40%.
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