We spoke to Ravi Francis, private client partner in London, about his first year working at Mills & Reeve.
What surprised you most about the private client team?
The breadth and depth of the private client team isn’t as well known outside the firm as it should be. This was a very pleasant surprise. The number of individual rankings we have in the legal directories says it all really, but I wasn’t aware of this until I joined.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love lots of things about my role, but the best thing is definitely the people I work with and act for. I get my energy from being around other people – they can be fascinating (especially some of our clients), inspirational and lots of fun! I also get to do some cool things. A recent highlight of mine was that I was invited on a tour of the gold vault in a private bank and given a gold bar to hold that was worth a million pounds!
Why did you choose Mills & Reeve?
There were three main reasons. Firstly, we’re rightly renowned for our people and great culture, which is important to me. Secondly, private client is in the firm’s DNA; being part of such an outstanding team was the opportunity I was looking for to personally develop and build my practice further. Thirdly, the opportunity to work with Sarah Cormack and other colleagues to build the London private wealth offering was too good to miss out on – I believe there are exciting times ahead.
What’s the best advice you have received?
There’s no question that the best advice I have had is around keeping work and family life in balance. A legal career can feel all-consuming at times, and it’s crucial to keep things in perspective and remember what’s really important. I have two young kids and really enjoy their company at the moment, so I’m trying to make the most of that while it lasts!
What’s the best professional compliment you have been given?
Clients often say really lovely things, but I think actions are far greater compliments than words. When a client trusts you with something precious, eg asking you to act for their closest family members, or to advise on a once-in-a-lifetime event, I take that as a big compliment. It can be pretty humbling and I try never to take those things for granted.
If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what do you think you’d be doing now?
Honestly, I have no idea… Probably something in professional services – not very imaginative, I know! I was adamant I wanted to be a train driver when I was four… And I’ve always had an interest in psychology and biology, so in a parallel universe perhaps I would be a therapist (but probably a very bad one!)
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