Lalita Vaswani (Partner*) qualified as a barrister in London and practiced at a leading firm in the Eastern Caribbean before joining Appleby in 2017. Lalita advises on complex cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. She regularly acts for distressed companies, creditors, regulators, investors and insolvency practitioners across a myriad of sectors including energy, insurance, real estate, technology and finance. Lalita has special expertise in large-scale reorganizations and leads the Bermuda voluntary liquidation practice. She also advises on mergers and acquisitions (and in particular, privatization schemes of arrangement). Legal 500 has recognised Lalita for “her pragmatic and diligent approach”, “attention to detail” and praised as “highly dedicated, practical and intelligent” as well as “personable and approachable”.
Jane Walker (Counsel*) was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1999 and rejoined Appleby in 2023 having previously worked in the Bermuda office from 2008 to 2011. Jane has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law including banking, asset and project finance, aviation finance and registration, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate re-structuring. Jane’s practice also includes advising on regulatory matters relating to insurance and carrying on digital asset business in Bermuda.
Arielle DeSilva (Senior Associate) joined Appleby in 2020 as a trainee and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 2021. She regularly advises on a range of corporate and commercial matters across a comprehensive range of Bermuda entities including private and public companies, partnerships, LLC’s and segregated accounts companies. She has notable experience acting in connection with multi-jurisdictional finance and fund finance transactions; the establishment and development of multiple fund structures, including those investing in insurance linked securities; cross-border mergers and acquisitions; and large multi-jurisdictional reorganizations. Arielle is recognised by Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Associate’ in Banking, Finance & Capital Markets where she is described as “very hard-working and tenacious, as well as knowledgeable.”
Melinda Mayne (Senior Associate) joined Appleby in 2022 and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 2017. She practices in all areas of corporate and commercial law, including insurance, finance, public and private mergers and acquisitions, amalgamations, reorganisations and general corporate law. Before joining Appleby, Melinda worked inhouse in an international investment bank located in the city of London, focusing on regulation, regulatory changes and compliance. Prior to that, Melinda practiced at another Bermuda law firm in the corporate and litigation departments.
Luisa Olander (Senior Associate) joined Appleby in 2018 as a trainee and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 2019. She has developed a broad practice within the Dispute Resolution department. Luisa has experience with both international and local clients on a wide variety of high value, multi-jurisdictional trust, banking, corporate/company law disputes, including shareholder fair value appraisal actions. She has appeared before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal as a junior to other members of the team on various significant trials and applications, including the first Bermuda trial of a shareholder fair value appraisal claim.
Ojeda Smith (Senior Associate) specializes in corporate and commercial law with a strong emphasis on insurance and reinsurance. Admitted to the Bermuda Bar in 2021, Ojeda advises clients on a wide range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private placements, catastrophe bonds, special purpose insurers, sidecars, and life insurance securitizations. She also provides regulatory advice specific to the insurance industry. Prior to joining Appleby in 2022 as a second year trainee, Ojeda gained experience at another Bermuda law firm.
Brad Adderley, Managing Partner and Head of Appleby’s Corporate practice in Bermuda, commented, “Congratulations to our promoted colleagues on this well-deserved recognition—exceptional lawyers whose talent, professionalism, and dedication are widely recognised. Each promotion reflects our commitment to developing and celebrating the island’s finest legal minds, and to advancing those who consistently deliver outstanding work for clients and colleagues. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.”
John Wasty, Head of Appleby’s Dispute Resolution practice in Bermuda, said, “Congratulations to our newly promoted lawyers. Your expertise, judgment, and commitment to excellence have earned you the trust of clients and the respect of peers. Your promotions are a testament to your professional achievements and high standards. Well done!”
*Pending immigration approval
