The firm - which is Wells Fargo's ultra high net worth business - said it has logged a 40 per cent rise in requests over the past year related to helping prepare next-generation leaders for roles in family businesses, and to prepare heirs for the responsibilities of wealth.

It started offering family dynamics services to ultra-wealthy clients in 2004; Amick is joining a practice that now includes four consultants with doctorate degrees in behavioral science and master's degrees in business. The team works with individuals and families to develop communication, education and governance strategies that can be applied to family enterprises, philanthropy and preparing heirs.

Amick started working at Wells Fargo in 1998 and was previously head of organizational effectiveness and development for the firm's wealth and investment management division. Her team provided strategic consulting in the areas of organizational change and culture as well as leadership development and team performance.

Abbot Downing ranks as the seventh-largest US-based family office, based on assets of $38 billion, according to the 2015 Bloomberg Markets survey.