Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Rafael Singer, Summerfield Browne

Date: 07 May 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Rafael Singer, Private Client Consultant Solicitor, Summerfield Browne.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am a consultant private client solicitor which means I advise on wills, probates, trusts, powers of attorney and inheritance tax planning.  I mainly work under a platform firm which provides me with basic support and covers my regulatory responsibilities.  I bring in almost 100% of my own work through my contacts with professional introducers such as financial advisors, accountants and other lawyers.  Most of my marketing is to such introducers on LinkedIn.  I also provide support to a new estate planning business as a legal consultant, overlooking their templates and workflows.  

What does a typical day look like for you?

I usually spend around one to two hours a day on business development, be that posting / commenting on LinkedIn or meeting introducers.  I like to meet up in person where possible.  The rest of the time will be spent with client meetings, dealing with emails, drafting, providing advice and dealing with estate administration. 

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.

I am dealing with a probate that was very poorly handled by a large estate planning company.  I am picking up the pieces and moving it along.  There are issues where the codicils to the wills contradict one another involving a discretionary trust and we will most likely require counsel’s advice on how they should be construed.  The whole matter is compounded by the fact that one of the trustees is estranged from the family and refusing to communicate, so we might have to have him removed.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

One of the main challenges in probates is dealing with third parties such as asset holders or government bodies like HMRC, HMCTS or the Land Registry and their responsiveness.  Government bodies especially have been hit by cuts and clients have to wait much longer than they used to so that their matters may progress.  This can have an impact on whether the estate is in a position to pay inheritance tax, causing inheritance tax interest to accrue.  My job is to chase and chase, complain and complain.  In some circumstances, a loan to pay off inheritance tax may be required.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I started retraining as a solicitor when I was 30, so I’m very proud to have not only completed that process but also gained full STEP membership and be in a position where I am bringing in my own business.  I am very grateful for every work that is referred to me and converts!

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

One of the best employers I ever had was my age but qualified about 11 years earlier than me.  I was his first employee.  He put me through the STEP Diploma and encouraged me to hone my business development skills.  When I left that position, I was a markedly different person to who I was when I started and I put that down to him.

Who do you most admire and why?

I trained under my dad, a one-man-band family lawyer who put as much effort into his legal aid clients as he did with those who paid privately.  I admire his dedication to his craft and the thousands of lives he helped.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

I took my family to Center Parcs in the Netherlands by ferry.  The overnight cabin was better than it needed to be!

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

Something creative with words.  I really enjoy posting on LinkedIn, I love the challenge of a blank page and editing for the most impact.  A lot of my posts mix the serious with the un-serious and I enjoy building a brand with words.

How do you relax after a long day?

I listen to a lot of podcasts, one of my favourites is The Rest is History.  I have three young children so I don’t relax quite as much as I’d like.  Playing Super Mario with my youngest is a lot of fun (but not necessarily relaxing….).