Prateek Swaika, Boies Schiller Flexner – Citywealth Leaders List 60 seconds interview
This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Prateek Swaika, partner and litigator at Boies Schiller Flexner.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I am a litigator at Boies Schiller Flexner, where I advise corporations and high-net-worth clients on a variety of high-stakes disputes and reputational issues.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A ‘typical’ day is a myth in litigation. It’s a mix of strategizing, firefighting, meetings, memos and problem solving. The only constant? Tea. Lots of it.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
One instruction began with ‘Hypothetically, if someone had borrowed nine figures but isn’t able to pay it back…’ – my favourite kind of hypothetical.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Cross-border disputes, aggressive opponents, and the occasional existential crisis. My job? Part lawyer, part therapist, and part problem solver.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Building a team so sharp that they can run without me. I work with incredible talent and thrive being surrounded by such capable people. Every client success has depended upon the contribution of others. Over the past few years, it has been rewarding overseeing our London office’s expansion in size and reputation.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Clarity under chaos, calm under pressure, and the ability to say ‘I don’t know’—then finding out faster than others.
Who do you most admire and why?
My first mentor who taught me that in this business, your word is your weapon, so use it sparingly and keep it sharp.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
For work: to the Hague, where I debated asset recovery over Stroopwafles. For pleasure: to the Sahara, where I debated nothing at all.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
Teaching. I enjoy developing talent and passing on knowledge.
How do you relax after a long day?
Reading fiction – it’s nice occasionally to encounter problems that resolve within a few hours and 200 pages. A recent favourite was The Great Hippopotamus Hotel by Alexander McCall Smith.
You might like to read why private client litigation is booming
See the Citywealth Top list of trust litigators and polymaths
Read about the Citywealth Forum speakers
Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Toby Yerburgh, Collyer Bristow
This week's 60-second piece is dedicated to Toby Yerburgh Head, Family Law team at Collyer Bristow.
Citywealth Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Matthew Briggs, Boyes Turner
This week's 60-second piece is dedicated to Matthew Briggs, Partner, Wills, Trusts and Probate at Boyes Turner.