Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Amy Barrow, Dawson Cornwell

Date: 13 Jul 2022

Silvia Ricciardi

Amy Barrow, Dawson Cornwell

Tell Citywealth’s readers about your role.

I am a Senior Associate at Dawson Cornwell. My practice has a particular focus on complex high value financial remedy work usually with an international aspect. Having come to the law with a business education, I have a keen interest in cases involving complex corporate structures, taxation and international pension issues.

You feature in Citywealth Editor’s Top 50 Private Client and Family Legal Heroes 2022. What is the biggest challenge you and your firm are currently facing in the family law sector?

There are many issues facing the family law sector. We have been through a rapid period of development within the industry owing to the impact of Covid.

The current hot topic is the push towards transparency within financial remedy proceedings, away from the long-accepted practice of privacy, confidentiality and anonymity in the reporting of judgments. There is a robust debate on both sides, centred around the question of whether there is a need for change. Is a certain level of transparency going to give rise to a heightened risk of abusive or coercive behaviour, being used as a weapon of leverage if one party does not want publicity? Are we going to see a rise of non -disclosure if we lose the comfort of knowing that disclosure is being given in an arena of privacy? How is the balance struck in terms of human rights between freedom of expression and the right to a private life? Are we going to continue to see an upward trend in terms of out of court and private dispute resolution, for example by way of arbitration? It is a pivotal moment for change.   

What does it mean to you to be a member of Citywealth’s Leaders List?

It’s a real privilege to be part of the Leaders List amongst esteemed HNW and UHNW professionals. It not only assists individuals in locating leading advisors with the benefit of peer and client reviews but has created a community of likeminded professionals fostering networking, exchanging support and knowledge internationally.  

What are the most important skills and personal qualities for a Senior Associate, specialised in divorce and financial remedy proceedings?

Resilience, empathy and a sense of humour. I am described by my peers and clients as being incredibly tenacious. To do this job to best of your ability, you have to be unwaveringly passionate. It is not just a job, it is a vocation.   

Best and worst parts of your job.

The best part of my job is getting to know my clients and delivering results. It’s incredibly important to know from the very outset what your clients’ objectives are and what is truly important to them.

I am very lucky to have incredibly talented colleagues at Dawson Cornwell and our clients benefit from an unprecedented wealth of knowledge and experience, especially in international cases. Every day there is the opportunity to learn and develop our practice. You have to consistently self-reflect in order to achieve the best outcomes.

The worst part of my job is seeing clients’ understandably distressed at the emotional impact of relationship breakdown. It can be a very challenging time and a difficult process. It is a real privilege to be able to assist our clients and their families through the process to its conclusion and to be able to provide the specialist advice they need to move forward.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?

The most importance advice which was given to me when I was a very junior lawyer is “you are only as good as your last case”, which I continue to live by.

Amy Barrow is a member of our Leaders List.