Citywealth Leaders List, 60 second interview – Tanmay Patnaik, Trilegal

Date: 25 Feb 2026

Karen Jones

This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Tanmay Patnaik, Partner, Head Private Client at Trilegal.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am a Partner and lead the Private Client Practice at Trilegal, one of India’s largest full-service Tier 1 law firms. My primary focus is estate planning for individuals and family businesses, including those with an international presence. I also attend to family business disputes and family governance matters.

I frequently work with various family offices in India on their outbound investment structuring mandates.

I have previously worked in the Private Wealth and Tax Department of Mishcon De Reya LLP, London (2018-19).

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day begins at 6:30 am with an hour-long session on fitness and yoga. I believe this is imperative. If you cannot attend to your own well-being, you will falter in being of service to others. Once in the office, I allot time for a team debriefing on the status of ongoing matters and those in the pipeline. We also discuss the latest legal developments in the private client space which may impact our client base.

At this point, no single day will look the same. Client conversations can range from a simple domestic trust structuring assignment to complex pre-IPO discussions involving multi-party conference calls. Several of our clients also have interests in the India-UK and India-US corridors. This inevitably leads to time being spent on meetings with foreign counsels in the evenings.

There is also a significant amount of collaboration amongst the Partners at Trilegal, and this requires me to also set aside time to farm potential leads from within our Firm’s existing client base.

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

Recent instructions included an Indian billionaire (net worth > USD 5 billion) who was keen to implement an estate plan wherein his lineal descendants had a ‘hands-off’ role in respect of the core business. The Client was desirous of ensuring that while his succeeding generations were flushed with funds (received periodically via private trust structures), they would only play a limited role in the Group’s affairs. The Group would be largely professionally managed with certain limited items requiring a buy-in from the family. This model was unique from an Indian context as typically the next generation sources its social identity basis the power they wield over their Group’s affairs. However, the Client was keen that they chart out their own destiny and build their own business ventures without the added weight and expectations of being a ‘successor’ to the business in the traditional sense. Uniquely, this model theoretically reduces potential friction amongst family branches for control. What I found refreshing about this assignment was the amount of research the Client had himself undertaken before deciding to adopt this model.

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

A sizable section of Indian clients is still familiarizing themselves with the concept of adopting a private trust as their primary succession vehicle. It is the fear of the unknown. To dispel this fear, a considerable amount of time is spent in educating them and handholding them through an estate planning exercise. Indian clients operate in regulatory heavy environment where oversight has become sharper. Our practice is known for its partner-led approach where I offer clear and holistic advice to ensure our clients have results-oriented solutions rather than theoretical legal arguments. If required, we also regularly engage with regulatory authorities for informal guidance on judicially untested structures.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Building the Trilegal Private Client offering from the ground up into a market leading and award-winning practice within a short span of 2 years. Each public testimonial we have received from our clients is a badge of honour. I feel incredibly fortunate to be supported by a stellar team and a robust Partnership, who is ready and willing to back me in my endeavours.

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

Attributes that matter most to me are integrity, self-awareness, empathy, clarity of thinking and communication, and the ability to make and own decisions. Investing in people’s growth, empowering them, and building strong relationships and collaboration across the team is important.

Who do you most admire and why?

President Barack Obama for a combination of intellect, values, and impact that is hard to ignore He has a reputation for tackling issues with intellectual discipline, carefully evaluating the evidence and considering multiple perspectives before reaching a decision, which is especially attractive to those who prize analytical thinking and due process.

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

I was in Dubai recently for meetings with a prominent UHNW family. I am frequently on the move as my clients’ value in-person meetings. These help maintain meaningful relationships and I am always willing to go the distance. I once took a commercial flight, one private jet and a speed boat to get to a meeting!

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

I would likely have pursued my love for acting. In my early 20s, I was fortunate enough to land lead roles in over 30 television commercials, 5 television shows and even a character role in a commercially successful Bollywood movie, ‘Wake Up Sid’.

How do you relax after a long day?

I have recently become a ‘dog dad’ to a mini dachshund named ‘Max’. Spending time with him has been extremely rewarding and relaxing.

If you could recommend one person in the private wealth industry who would it be, and what would you say about them? 

I would recommend Zac Lucas as a standout partner at Spencer West LLP. Having worked with Zac on a few matters, I note that he has deep knowledge of international trusts, estates, and regulatory frameworks. He’s ideal for complex wealth management strategies. Zac has over 20 years of experience across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia and truly understands the nuances of each of these jurisdictions.

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