Appleby > Hamilton, Bermuda > Firm Profile

Appleby > The Legal 500 Rankings

Bermuda > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Under the leadership of Brad Adderley, the Appleby team, described as ‘extremely responsive and efficient’, 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. Working alongside her is David Clark, who is dual-qualified in Bermuda and BVI and 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 counsel Andrew Kuzma, who provides assistance with capital markets, public offering, private placement, and corporate finance mandates.

Bermuda > Corporate and commercial Tier 1

Recognised for its ‘responsiveness, commercial approach and dedication,’ Appleby is a trusted partner for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies globally, 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, including the IT, insurance, energy and natural resources spaces. Tim Faries adds depth to the team with his extensive experience in advising on capital raisings and M&A. 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.

Bermuda > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Appleby‘s dispute practice team is highly regarded, described as ‘professional, diligent, and well-respected by the judges in Bermuda’. The group represents a diverse range of parties in high-value, multi-jurisdictional litigation and mediation, as well as regulatory and corporate governance matters, including policy wordings. Leading the team is John Wasty, who is noted as ‘rightly in very high demand’ and specialises in commercial litigation, restructurings, fund claims, insolvencies and regulatory affairs, both domestically and internationally. Hannah Tildesley is a specialist in international commercial litigation, with a focus on funds and contentious trust disputes. Counsel Lalita Vaswani, known for her ‘pragmatic and diligent approach‘, supports the team’s corporate litigation, particularly in restructuring and insolvency matters. Khiyara Krige specialises in (re)insurance disputes and corporate litigation, while Sam Riihiluoma‘s expertise lies in civil and commercial litigation, with a strong track record in regulatory affairs, contractual disputes, and professional liability claims.

Bermuda > Insurance/reinsurance Tier 1

The specialised insurance and reinsurance practice at Appleby 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, while Tim Faries excels in public and private insurance company capital raisings and public listings. 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.

Bermuda > Regulatory and compliance Tier 1

The regulatory and compliance team at Appleby 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, 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. Her counterpart, John Wasty, brings extensive experience in corporate governance and sanctions-related issues.

Bermuda > Trusts/private client Tier 1

Fielding a team that ‘consistently provides excellent, high-quality and timely legal advice,’ Appleby‘s cross-practice trusts and dispute resolution team is adept at advising 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. Other notable figures include senior associates Caljonah Smith, who concentrates on non-contentious estate matters and routinely handling probate and seal applications to the Supreme Court; and Sam Riihiluoma, who acts for liquidators in winding up proceedings.

British Virgin Islands > Corporate and commercial

Advising on projects across Asia, Latin America and Africa, Appleby‘s BVI office is regularly instructed on cross-border M&A transactions. Practice chair Jeffrey Kirk  regularly handles multi-million-dollar M&A deals and corporate restructurings, while Andrew Jowett, who divides his time between BVI and Jersey, acts for various blue-chip and private companies in the energy sector. Further notable figures in the team also include Shana Simmonds, who has recently been involved in multi-jurisdictional transactions related to private equity takeovers and fintech companies; and David Clark, who frequently provides support for the team on cross-border financing matters, particularly those with Bermuda connections. ‘Proactive and solution-focused’ M&A specialist Brittany Cummings and Stuart Fee are key names at senior associate level.