Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Jessica Flowerdew, Partner at Brodies Solicitors
This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Jessica Flowerdew, Partner at Brodies Solicitors.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
As a partner in Brodies Personal and Family Practice area, my role is to advise and support private wealth clients with their estate and succession planning needs. I have a particular focus on advising clients with connections to multiple jurisdictions and I work with advisors across the globe to provide tailored solutions that align with their unique objectives and circumstances. I have a personal connection to France, and I am a fluent French speaker. While I have a passion for cross border work in general, I especially enjoy putting my language skills to good use and working with those clients with interests in France. I work with a fantastic team of colleagues to help navigate complex issues and ensure that clients’ assets are protected and their legacy is preserved for future generations.
As well as international private client work, I also lead the firm’s personal injury trust offering and regularly deal with clients lacking capacity. I advise many, often extremely vulnerable, clients on the creation and ongoing management of personal injury trusts. I enjoy working with clients from range of different backgrounds and facing multiple complex challenges.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The beauty of my job is that no two days are the same! Before work, I drop my two boys off at school. They are 5 and 7 so getting them out of the door in morning is sometimes a big task in and of itself! After the school run rush, I take some quiet time in the mornings with a coffee (essential) to run through my inbox and review my diary to plan my day. I will catch up with colleagues in the team to run through workloads, discuss solutions and answer questions. My days are very full and between meetings and calls, I don’t notice the time go by. My favourite days are when I am meeting clients. I will set aside time to prepare so that we ensure we get the most from our meeting. I enjoy hosting clients in our spectacular Edinburgh office where we have unobstructed views of the castle and the rest of the city. If I have a particularly tricky piece of work to get through, I will take time away from my desk to work in a quiet room away from distractions. Some evenings will be spent meeting contacts or at events – I really enjoy the social aspects of working as a lawyer.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
I particularly enjoy working with lawyers and advisors in other jurisdictions on estate planning matters for globally connected clients. I have worked with contacts across the world including France, Spain, the US, Canada and Hong Kong.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Clients face many different challenges depending on their background, family, and personal circumstances. My role is to ask the right questions and encourage families to start conversations about managing and protecting their wealth for the long term. Every client has unique challenges, and our solutions will be bespoke, tailored to their situation, and designed to meet their objectives.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
I was very proud to be promoted to partner at the firm I trained at, but the proudest professional moments are in the everyday work. The most rewarding part of this job is solving problems for clients who have placed their trust in us.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Good leaders are caring, courageous and collegiate.
Who do you most admire and why?
Probably my mum. As I face the challenges of juggling work and raising two children, I have a newfound respect for my mum. I am one of four and I have no idea how she made it look so easy!
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
France.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
If I was not a lawyer, I would be a fashion illustrator. I love designing clothes – I take inspiration for my drawings from runways, the Met Gala, and Fashion Weeks across the world.
How do you relax after a long day?
I make time to exercise, and I will try to get to the gym and listen to a podcast on the treadmill, especially after a long day. I love to cook and find making a homemade meal is a therapeutic way to unwind. I always take time put my boys to bed – we are currently reading “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” by Roald Dahl and I look forward to cuddling up with them for the next chapter before they go to sleep.
Jessica Flowerdew is shortlisted for Citywealth Future Leaders 2025
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