Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Patricia Woo, Squire Patton Boggs
This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Patricia Woo, Partner and Co-Head of Global Family Office Team at Squire Patton Boggs.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I work with families in multiples ways. I am Partner and Co-Head of Global Family Office Team of international law firm Squire Patton Boggs. I am teaching at multiple universities In Hong Kong and beyond about family advisory related subjects. I am trained in and use on families different psychotherapeutic methods including Emotion Focused Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Therapy and Psychosynthesis. I am also a student myself pursuing a PhD in Human Services (specializing in Family Studies and Intervention).
What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no typical day I am afraid given the diversity of the work that I do. I travel on average on a monthly basis in both Asia and Europe, so it is hard to define a typical day.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
I am doing a lot of what I would call hybrid cases, where people come in with legal situations and I help them look at and deal with both tangible issues (such as law, finance and operation) and intangible issues (such as emotions, relationship and spiritual growth). Recently, a couple came in for documentations for a company in which they are both directors. What they disagreed on was not just about the company. Much of it was about their relationship as a couple. So I pause the documentation work, and we switch to couple relationship and help them express their feelings and say what was hard to say. When we returned to the documents, the drafting reflected what they wanted much more authentically.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Most people are never given the chance to feel and express their emotions, consider their family situation from a systemic perspective, or reflect on their life purpose. Without this opportunity, they cannot truly know what they want. As a lawyer, if my clients do not understand their true selves, I am not planning for a real person.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
I am proud to be co-heading the global family office team of our firm. It is a widely diverse team from office across the globe and we get together regular for global update.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
A balance of clarity and empathy. An appreciation for humanness. A drive to reinvent oneself.
Who do you most admire and why?
I cannot think of one person I most admire because there are aspects I can learn from in each individual. Equally, I am aware that everyone has challenges they need to face. It may sound like I am looking for a perfect person to admire, but in fact, that says more about me!
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
I was in Bucharest, Romania in July for business meeting and International Society of Emotion Focused Therapy Conference. I will be returning to Bucharest in November to speak at a family business conference and in Warsaw and probably Budapest as well for client work.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I cannot think of anything else I want to do. At every waking moment, I am preparing for, training, teaching, and doing family advisory work.
How do you relax after a long day?
I like looking at trees and hearing the sound of the wind blowing through them.
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 Eric Chen, managing partner of Acclime Hong Kong. He is a quick thinker and has excellent business sense. He also treats people fairly and has a great presence at meetings.
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