Leading offshore law firm Appleby leads the Bermuda marketplace with top-tier rankings across all six practice categories: Banking, Finance & Capital Markets; Corporate & Commercial; Dispute Resolution; Insurance/Reinsurance; Regulatory & Compliance; Trusts/Private Client. Appleby continues to be the only firm in Bermuda ranked Tier 1 across all of these six practice categories in Legal 500’s 2024 Caribbean Guide. Legal 500 ranks law firms and their lawyers following a thorough and independent research process which includes feedback from 300,000 clients, private practice lawyers and in-house peers as well as the assessment of a law firm’s own deals.
Legal 500 has recognised 32 lawyers across the six categories, with 14 lawyers specifically ranked in the ‘Leading Individuals’, ‘Next Generation Partners’ or ‘Rising Stars’ categories.
Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner said, “We are honored to continue to be recognized by our clients and peers for the work that we do. To be ranked so highly across all these specialisms speaks to our market-leading position and the exceptionally talented and dedicated group of lawyers I’m privileged to work with every day. Thank you to our very valued clients and our highly-skilled and client-focused legal experts.”
Highlights from Legal 500, clients and referrers:
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets:
The “extremely responsive and efficient” team serves major banks and financial institutions, addressing a broad spectrum of banking, asset, and project-related matters, both domestically and internationally.
Clive Langley is a well-regarded corporate and international finance lawyer, while Tammy Richardson-Augustus complements the team’s expertise by specialising in cross-jurisdictional transactions within the energy and natural resources sector.
David Clark, who is dual-qualified in Bermuda and BVI has extensive knowledge of project finance, capital markets and finance structures.
Other notable experts include Jerome Wilson, a specialist in digital asset advisory and complex ship financing work, and Andrew Kuzma, who provides assistance with capital markets, public offering, private placement, and corporate finance mandates.
“The dedicated team delivers clear, concise, and practical advice, grounded in a pragmatic and common-sense approach.”
“Clive Langley – outstanding lawyer, have worked with him for years and his knowledge of our business and dedication are first class.”
“We have found David Clark to be very responsive and approachable, with the ability to give immediate advice that is relevant to our organisation.”
“Jerome is user friendly, and readily available to attend calls and address urgent issues.”
Corporate & Commercial:
Recognised for its “responsiveness, commercial approach and dedication,” Appleby is a trusted partner, providing support on strategic growth and restructuring initiatives spanning single jurisdiction deals and complex multi-disciplinary transactions.
Under the leadership of Brad Adderley, the team handles multi-jurisdictional M&A deals and corporate transactions for clients across various sectors.
David Clark, a seasoned expert in M&A, banking, and project finance work, navigates cross-border challenges for international banking clients, while Matthew Ebbs-Brewer is head of the funds and investment team.
Jerome Wilson oversees the team’s digital assets practice, specialising in cross-jurisdictional telecoms and asset-based acquisitions, and counsel Josephine Noddings stands out for her broad commercial expertise spanning insurance law, M&A, and joint ventures.
“The team individuals are highly competent and responsive.”
“Clive Langley, first-rate commercial lawyer, very responsive and dedicated, vast knowledge of our business.”
“The team with David Clark and Carl Meyer assisted on Bermuda law issues on a cross border transaction. The team delivered corporate assistance that met our expectations in every way. The team members are highly qualified, work efficiently and deliver on time.”
Dispute Resolution:
Appleby’s “highly regarded” dispute resolution practice led by John Wasty represents a diverse range of parties in high-value, multi-jurisdictional litigation and mediation, as well as regulatory and corporate governance matters. John Wasty is a specialist in commercial litigation, appraisal litigation, insolvency, regulatory and insurance & reinsurance. Hannah Tildesley is a specialist in commercial litigation, with a focus on funds and contentious trust disputes.
“I enjoyed working with this team. They take on a collaborative approach to their work. Despite the time zone and jurisdiction, they were always accessible and beckoned to your call. I was also impressed with the attention to detail that was applied.”
“The insolvency team is second to none. We’ve been working with them to try to recover on a defaulted loan. This collection effort required a global response (with assets in multiple jurisdictions), and Appleby was able to organise, assemble and lead a global team of lawyers working to achieve results on our behalf. In each instance, we’ve found the lawyers to be thoughtful, prepared and thorough. We could not have achieved as good as result as we did were it not for Appleby.”
“John Wasty – rightly in very high demand; extremely experienced and exceptionally good on client management. I will recommend John to anyone litigating in Bermuda.”
“We’ve found Lalita Vaswani to be highly dedicated, practical and intelligent. She has organised and led, on our behalf, a global team of talented lawyers whose aim is to achieve a successful result on our behalf. We have found the Appleby team’s wisdom to be invaluable.”
“Khiyara Krige – on top of all the details and supremely reliable, notwithstanding clearly a very heavy workload.”
Sam Riihiluoma‘s expertise lies in civil and commercial litigation, with a strong track record in regulatory affairs, contractual disputes, and professional liability claims.
“We’ve found James Batten to be incredibly creative in problem solving. After listening to multiple sides on a complex negotiation, James was able to listen to everyone’s needs and wants and suggest solutions that address each of the issues raised.”
Insurance/Reinsurance:
Appleby’s specialised insurance and reinsurance practice offers counsel on a wide array of insurance vehicles, with expertise in significant capital raisings, hybrid transactions, insurtech implementation, and new registrations.
Characterised by its willingness to “be innovative and push the boundaries of what’s possible”, Brad Adderley leads the practice, handling insurance matters with a focus on ILS, alternative and collateralised reinsurance investment transactions. Alan Bossin specialises in insurance sector M&A, including capital raisings, securitisations, longevity issues and risk transference transactions.
The team also includes Matthew Carr, who advises on captives and catastrophe bonds for special purpose insurers, and commercial insurers, and Gary Harris, who specialises in M&A and risk transfer transactions.
“Appleby is the foremost legal firm in Bermuda, bar none. If you have a large or high-profile deal there is no better place to go, and no safer place to go.”
“Strong world view beyond just Bermuda and strong dedication to client service. A real desire to understand clients’ business at a more granular level to provide customised, expert service at all levels.”
“Brad Adderley is my most competent, proactive, and trusted counsellor. He knows the insurance industry inside and out and is always willing to be innovative and push the boundaries of what’s possible. I recommend him wholeheartedly and without reservation.”
“Gary Harris is an exceptional partner. He is hardworking and is unbelievably responsive and thoughtful. His advice is always pragmatic and useful, and most importantly, he does not waste my time. One of the best I have ever worked with, could not recommend more highly.”
Regulatory and Compliance:
Appleby’s regulatory and compliance team covers essential aspects of business and financial services regulation, encompassing compliance, corporate governance, and regulatory and risk advisory services.
Within these domains, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters, the team provides regular counsel on ATF compliance, anti-money laundering, terrorist financing risks, sanctions regimes, and license approvals.
Co-heading the practice is Sally Penrose from the corporate department, who advises financial institutions, global corporations, and professional public bodies on a wide spectrum of regulatory and licensing issues, with specific expertise in economic substance matters.
John Wasty, who co-heads the regulatory practice, and is head of the dispute resolution department, brings extensive experience in corporate governance and sanctions-related issues.
Trusts/Private Client:
Appleby’s cross-practice trusts and dispute resolution team “consistently provides excellent, high-quality and timely legal advice” on the entire spectrum of trust law and is frequently retained by blue-chip trust institutions. Practice co-head Vanessa Schrum is a key contact for non-contentious matters and has extensive experience in acting for ultra-high-net-worth clients across the globe. Fellow co-head Hannah Tildesley specialises in commercial litigation, with a particular focus on trust disputes.
Caljonah Smith concentrates on non-contentious estate matters and routinely handling probate and seal applications to the Supreme Court and Sam Riihiluoma acts for liquidators in winding up proceedings.
“Appleby in Bermuda represents an excellence benchmark against which other firms are competing to be viewed and judged against.”
“Brilliant client service. They always take a commercial approach and are always willing to help and go the extra mile to get deals over the line within tight deadlines.”
“Appleby have a very aligned team for seamless delivery of their services. Their team is well resourced, always ready and able to help, even with very tight deadlines and unexpected or emerging matters requiring immediate assistance. Appleby are my, like many other professionals, primary “go to” team in Bermuda for trust and private client matters.”
“Vanessa Schrum – always able to respond, help and deliver with even the tightest of deadlines. A leading authority in Bermuda on all things trust and private client related. An excellent practitioner – such a delight to work with and really drives matters forward.”
“Caljonah Smith – metronomic in her ability to deliver and ability to assist. A rising force and authority on her subject matter.”
Recognised lawyers include:
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets:
- Leading Individual: Clive Langley, Partner; Tammy Richardson-Augustus, Partner
- Next Generation Partner: Jerome Wilson, Partner
- Recommended: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; David Clark, Partner; Clive Langley, Partner; Tammy Richardson-Augustus, Partner; Jerome Wilson, Partner; Andrew Kuzma, Counsel
Corporate & Commercial:
- Leading Individual: Tim Faries, Partner
- Next Generation Partner: Matthew Ebbs-Brewer, Partner
- Rising Star: Josephine Noddings, Counsel
- Recommended: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; David Clark, Partner; Matthew Ebbs-Brewer, Partner; Tim Faries, Partner; Jerome Wilson, Partner; Josephine Noddings, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyers: Clive Langley, Partner; Carl Meyer, Associate
Dispute Resolution:
- Leading Individual: John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
- Next Generation Partner: Hannah Tildesley, Partner
- Recommended: John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution; Hannah Tildesley, Partner; Khiyara Krige, Counsel; Sam Riihiluoma, Counsel; Lalita Vaswani, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyer: James Batten, Senior Associate
Insurance/Reinsurance:
- Leading Individual: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; Tim Faries, Partner
- Next Generation: Matthew Carr, Partner
- Recommended: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; Alan Bossin, Partner; Matthew Carr, Partner; Tim Faries, Partner; Gary Harris, Partner
- Other Key Lawyer: Josephine Noddings, Counsel
Regulatory and Compliance:
- Leading Individual: Sally Penrose, Partner
- Recommended: Sally Penrose, Partner; John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Trusts/Private Client:
- Leading Individual: Vanessa Schrum, Partner and Head of Private Client & Trusts
- Rising Star: Caljonah Smith, Counsel
- Recommended: Vanessa Schrum, Partner and Head of Private Client & Trusts; Hannah Tildesley, Partner; Sam Riihiluoma, Counsel; Caljonah Smith, Counsel
