A leading lawyer at regional law firm Foot Anstey has been elected as one of two deputy chairs of an international organisation with 20,000 members in nearly 100 countries.
Patricia Wass, pictured, a specialist in private client law, has been selected by members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) – a worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. She is joined as deputy chair by accountant Paul Seal and their roles become effective from January 1. 
Patricia is a year into a three-year term on the international board of STEP where she plays a lead role in working with accountants, bankers, financial advisors, trust managers and other lawyers from across the world to further strengthen governance, develop policy and encourage consistency across international borders.
This latest appointment by STEP is further recognition for Patricia. In addition to being recognised as a ‘leader in her field’ by Chambers UK legal directory, she is one of just 71 professionals in England and Wales to act as panel deputy for the Court of Protection in situations where people lack capacity and require specialist help to manage their financial and personal affairs.
Patricia said: “It is a great honour, and a great privilege, to serve STEP as a deputy chair of the society. I have been involved with STEP at every level of the organisation, which assists in knowing how the society works at individual member, branch, regional committee, council and board level.”
