Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Clare Nicolle, Nicolle Marshall

Date: 11 Dec 2024

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Clare Nicolle, Partner, Private Client, Estate Planning & Capacity at Nicolle Marshall LLP, Jersey Channel Islands.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

As a partner of a small startup law firm that opened its doors in March of this year I am very lucky to love the job I do in particular given its endless variety.   When I decided to become a lawyer I had no idea what that would entail beyond actual ‘law’!  Business-wise, I wear many hats – I am head of BD and marketing; PR manager; HR manager; secretary and operational director.  I also spend much of my time assisting my clients to achieve their aims in relation to their estate planning which can cover both succession matters and managing a potential future incapacity.  I am lucky that I am invited to present to local financial institutions about the benefits of estate planning for their clients and staff and these always involve a lot of discussion about situations that they are dealing with.  As a member of the Jersey Law Society sub-committee on capacity and succession matters I also review and comment on draft legislation and engage with local government and charities.  Our sub-committee is very collegiate and it’s a pleasure to be involved in the group brainstorming that usually takes place at our meetings.  The power of the hive mind. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

My alarm usually wakes me at 615am in time for a large cup of coffee and the school run.  When it comes to the commute I count myself lucky to live in Jersey where the drive to the office never takes longer than a 30 minute crawl in the school traffic.  I have endless admiration for my professional colleagues in the UK who have to spend hours on the train to get into the office.  I rarely work from home not only because I prefer the companionship of my colleagues but also because much of my time during the day is spent meeting my clients in person.  Whilst we all became used to meeting clients remotely during 2020/2021 I am glad that we have reverted back to more ‘in person’ meetings.  You always get a better feel for a situation meeting people face to face and I believe that clients appreciate the personal touch (which is one of the driving factors behind our firm) and which can be lost when too much focus is placed on time recording and cost management which can be to the detriment of client service.  Despite my preference for ‘in person’ meetings I also spend a large amount of time speaking to international clients on Teams or by telephone and am always proud to emphasise how hard the team in our local Probate Registry work to ensure that when the time comes a Grant of Probate can be accessed efficiently thus preventing the delays that seem to be a problem in other jurisdictions and that I read about regularly on Linked In!  I always try to block off time in my diary to catch up in my inbox which always seems to be full and for drafting which is something I enjoy.

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

Given client confidentiality I am not able to discuss specific client instructions; however when taking instructions for Wills I always emphasise to my clients the importance of leaving very clear instructions with regard to funeral wishes and disposal of remains.  I once drafted a Will where my client wished to be ‘buried with a fully charged mobile ‘phone in my right hand’.  More than one client would like to have a Viking burial but I had to advise then that the Government of Jersey would not be too happy with a flaming boat heading out to sea.  One of our clients wanted their body to be preserved by a taxidermist.

Locally, as well as in the UK, clients are very interested in assisted dying and what that will look like legally. 

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

I see the question of old age and capacity becoming even more of an issue for lawyers and financial intermediaries who act for international clients.  Cross border capacity planning and how that can be managed is a hot topic for private client lawyers.  Howe to plan so that clients’ assets can continued to be managed in their best interests in all jurisdictions on a loss of capacity is a puzzle that we are all having to unpick given that the planning opportunities are so varied across jurisdictions.  In Jersey, international clients are unable to put in place Jersey LPAs and so an application to the court has to be made to register a foreign LPA or EPA.  Planning for this is more complicated in circumstances where the home jurisdiction does not allow for LPAs.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

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

They motivate and work collaboratively with others.  They lead by example.  They demonstrate emotional intelligence.

Who do you most admire and why?

Whilst not naming anyone in particular, I have always admired those women who have managed to combine motherhood and a successful professional life.  Its not easy and getting the balance right can be challenging and often exhausting.

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

Croatia in the Summer.  I had never been before and couldn’t believe quite how beautiful it was.   We spent a week on a tiny island which involved lots of time on and in the sea and around the pool with a good book.  Bliss.

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

Whilst at school and university my Saturday and holiday job was working in a book shop and so perhaps I’d run a small independent bookshop.

How do you relax after a long day?

 We are lucky in Jersey to enjoy some great restaurants and there is nothing I like to do more than to spend some time with family and friends enjoying great food and good wine.