Leading offshore law firm Appleby has received top rankings in the 2022 Chambers Global Guide. Appleby’s Bermuda office has been ranked in Band 1, the highest tier, in all three categories: Corporate & Finance, Insurance and Dispute Resolution. Appleby also has 10 lawyers ranked across the categories – Corporate & Finance: Partners Clive Langley, Tammy Richardson-Augustus and Jerome Wilson; Insurance: Partners Brad Adderley, Alan Bossin and Tim Faries; Dispute Resolution: Partners John Wasty, Steven White, Hannah Tildesley and Senior Counsel John Riihiluoma. Appleby is the only firm with two lawyers increasing in their rankings, with Tammy Richardson-Augustus and Jerome Wilson moving up the rankings.
Appleby’s “sophisticated” corporate group are noted for its representation of a diverse range of clients. Interviewees say: “Appleby is a premier offshore law firm. It provides an ideal multidisciplinary platform, coordinated legal advice and strong transactional capability to clients.” Another source stated: “The firm’s capabilities are stellar, and due to the team’s efforts and professionalism we had no difficulties with timely and solid closings.”
Appleby’s “globally renowned” insurance practice is highlighted for its proficiency in non-contentious mandates spanning multiple jurisdictions. The team regularly represents international companies and insurance clients headquartered in Bermuda. Its specific areas of strength include regulatory compliance, risk advisory services and advising insurers on M&A deals.
Appleby’s dispute resolution practice is known as a “top law firm to go to for litigation matters in Bermuda”. It maintains a deep bench of high-calibre lawyers and has a strong client following. The team is noted for its frequent handling of high-profile commercial disputes and insolvency proceedings, with further expertise in contentious employment and regulatory matters. Interviewees praise the team as “professional, responsive and hard-working,” noting that “their arguments and strategy are well thought out.”
Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner said: “We are delighted with our continued top-tier rankings which reflect our leading position in the market and our exceptional team of lawyers across all specialisms and sectors. What we value most is our collegiate team spirit and steadfast dedication to providing outstanding service and value to our clients.”
Chambers and Partners, an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions, conducts tens of thousands of interviews a year with in-house counsel and third-party experts, delivering detailed insight into providers of legal services.
Testimonials from clients, referrers and peers include:
Corporate:
Clive Langley (Band 2): Clive is a well-established Bermuda lawyer who is adept at handling a variety of transactional matters. His experience extends to the representation of both borrowers and lenders in asset finance transactions. Clients say: “Clive is a very good lawyer; he is reasonable and serves his clients well.”
Tammy Richardson-Augustus (Band 2): Tammy is increasingly recognised among her peers in the Bermuda market, while onshore counsel appreciate her high-level input on all aspects of non-contentious work. Interviewees say: “She has extensive experience handling restructuring, M&A, corporate governance and virtually every type of debt and equity capital markets transaction. Tammy’s sound judgement, client skills and the legal acumen she brings to the table are extremely impressive.”
Jerome Wilson (Band 3): Jerome who is head of the Technology sector in Bermuda has a wide-ranging practice which encompasses M&A, capital markets and finance transactions. He has notable experience advising clients from the technology, financial services and shipping sectors. Clients say: “He is responsive, practical and knowledgeable. He is positive and service-minded, and in general a go-to person for solving problems of all complexity levels.”
Insurance:
Brad Adderley (Band 1): Brad who is head of the Corporate group in Bermuda, is an accomplished lawyer with notable experience of insurance and reinsurance matters. He demonstrates additional strengths in the regulatory space and often assists clients with insurance company formation work. “He is responsive and effective at getting things done. He is well known to the local Bermuda regulator and understands their sensitivities.” Clients say: “Brad is great – he is a very good lawyer and has a big practice.”
Alan Bossin (Band 2): Alan is a highly experienced lawyer in Bermuda’s insurance space. He continues to advise a broad range of clients and is particularly noted for his work on regulatory compliance and M&A transactions. Clients say: “Alan is a very personable individual and he’s very helpful. He’s the type of person you can just pick up the phone to and talk through a problem with.”
Tim Faries (Eminent Practitioner): Tim has long-standing experience assisting clients with non-contentious insurance and regulatory compliance mandates. He has extensive experience of public and private insurance company capital raising and M&A activity.
Dispute Resolution:
John Wasty (Band 1): John who is head of the Dispute Resolution group in Bermuda is a well-established litigator who regularly advises clients on insolvency and commercial litigation, in addition to debt restructuring and contentious regulatory matters. Clients say: “John Wasty is a top practitioner.”
Steven White (Band 3): Steven who leads the trust litigation practice in Bermuda has considerable experience assisting with high-value, multi-jurisdictional cases. His broader disputes practice also touches upon commercial fraud and insolvency matters. Clients say: “He has an incredible facility for digesting and comprehending complexity, and for accurately predicting how counterparties may respond to each strategy.”
Hannah Tildesley (Up and Coming): Hannah is regularly identified as an up-and-coming litigation lawyer in Bermuda. She is noted for her extensive experience in commercial litigation as well as insolvency and restructuring mandates. Clients say: “Hannah Tildesley is a very competent lawyer.”
John Riihiluoma (Senior Statesperson): John is an esteemed Bermuda lawyer who has immense experience advising on insolvency proceedings. He is additionally noted for his deep knowledge of trust and shareholder disputes.
