Partner promotions 2022 – meet our new partners #3

Tamara Lutvey, Employment, Brisbane

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

I know the word "culture" gets thrown around a lot, but I really think that what sets us apart is our inclusive and supportive culture and our genuine commitment to ensuring that both our clients and staff have a truly extraordinary experience. We try to foster a genuine sense of belonging and connectedness in our teams, which I think then flows through to our ability to work together collaboratively to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

I really love working as part of a team and partnering with our clients to find solutions to their problems. No two days are ever the same – and while that comes with its own challenges, I like riding the highs and the lows alongside our clients.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I don't think I'm that interesting! On my first overseas trip travelling by myself, I got lost on my way to Versailles. I'd taken the wrong train, ending up at a tiny, deserted, train station. It's probably one of my happiest travel memories – sitting by myself, croissant in hand, peacefully waiting for the next train with nowhere to be and feeling privileged to be there. I know that's not an interesting fact about myself, but I found it to be an interesting experience!

Gwladys Ngo Tedga Yagla, Ashurst Risk Advisory, Melbourne

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Undoubtedly it is our focus on innovation. This is one of the Ashurst values and from the firm’s investment into the establishment of our Risk Advisory services to our Ashurst Advance capability, we are a firm that is moving in tandem or ahead of a rapidly changing and often times volatile global operating environment. Our ability to innovate within the firm’s risk appetite means that we can deliver better advice to our clients and are consistently seeking out the best resources, tools and capabilities to solve our clients’ problems.

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

Working in the legal sector allows me to serve my clients better using our legal led consulting model. Prior to joining Ashurst I often witnessed my clients struggle with the complexities of having several legal and consulting firms at the table to solve their problems. By working in the legal sector, I now have the ability to collaborate with my legal colleagues and offer an integrated legal and consulting service.

The advice I give to my clients often requires an interpretation of regulatory requirements and having this knowledge in house makes for better quality of advice.

Additionally, working in the legal sector enables me to expand my skills and knowledge every day. I have a lot of appreciation for the legal profession and the skills I acquire by working with legal colleagues make me a better risk consultant.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

Early on in my career I worked with President Clinton in Boston and was part of the Clinton Health Access Initiative team that negotiated reduced prices for antiretroviral drugs (ARV’s) with two big pharmaceutical companies.

As a political science and international relations graduate, working with a former US president and being part of such a strategic initiative that would impact and save the lives of millions globally was an invaluable experience.

Samuel Outtridge, Transport & Infrastructure, London

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our people. We have a fantastic team of people here at Ashurst with a fascinating range of skillsets and experience. What we do is ultimately a people business and Ashurst is a firm that invests in its people. I have experienced first-hand our progressive new Family Care initiative (our new global parental leave policy) - which is a great example of Ashurst's commitment to providing support to its people building careers and balancing family life. This has been really important to me personally having recently become a father.

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

I enjoy the challenges that working in the legal sector offers. When a client comes to us with a problem or instructs us to advise on a transaction, it is like being presented with the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Our job as lawyers is to find a way to put the pieces of that puzzle together. When we do that and we help our clients achieve their goals, that is a very satisfying moment.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I am related to the first recorded person to swim the English Channel, Captain Matthew Webb, who did so in 1875. I have kept up the family tradition to some extent by competing in modern pentathlon (which includes swimming) in my university days but I have not attempted anything quite so extreme – maybe one day!

Matthew Pentecost, Global Loans, London

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

A collaborative nature which facilitates our ability to bring the whole of Ashurst to the table, to the benefit our clients. Leveraging our expert teams and actively seeking out opportunities where we can assist clients outside of defined practice groups brings further opportunities to partner and help drive their business forward.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

I see clear opportunities for the firm / client relationship to become more akin to a partnership. Conventional advice will be supplemented by co-led pursuits and firms embracing this change will find an engaged and loyal client base.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

"Lets look at this from their perspective" – Lee Doyle. Remarkably simple and obvious advice, but should be a prism through which all our interactions are viewed; with clients, other lawyers and internally within the firm. A poster of the Anthony Burrill quote "Work hard and be nice to people" was a fixture in Helen Burton's room, and a mantra she certainly adheres to; that has always stayed with me.

Annamaria Pinzuti, Energy & Resources, Milan

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

Our vision is what really sets Ashurst apart from other firms and makes us stand out in the market. We can achieve our business goals only through a collaborative and inclusive culture, and at Ashurst our culture is the strongest instrument the firm has to retain and attract the best talent and to build a success story in Italy and abroad.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

I decided to join Ashurst because of its unique industry-led and cross practice approach, which is very rare within the Italian market. The focus on being a progressive firm is still one of the key factors of our success, I believe. We do not want to provide standard legal services. Our aim is to be really relevant for our clients, which means having a deep understanding of their industry, their needs and goals.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

I'm very lucky as I had great mentors in my life and, more generally speaking, my family has really supported me in my professional journey; my father has always encouraged me to be ambitious and believe in my dreams. He used to tell me "if you really want to reach the top of the mountain, just climb it! It will take time, sometimes it will be difficult and there will be hard moments to face but don't let difficulties stop you! Be focused on the path ahead and step by step you will reach the top".