Legal 500 ranks Appleby as Tier 1 in: Banking, Finance & Capital Markets; Corporate & Commercial; Dispute Resolution; Insurance/Reinsurance; Regulatory & Compliance; Trusts/Private Client.
Leading offshore law firm Appleby continues to be the only firm in Bermuda ranked Tier 1 across all of the six practice categories in Legal 500’s 2025 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 28 lawyers across the six categories, with 19 lawyers specifically ranked in the ‘Leading Partners’, ‘Next Generation Partners’ or ‘Leading Associates’ categories.
Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner said, “We are delighted with our continued top-tier rankings which reflect our market-leading position across all practice areas and specialisms. We have a world-class team of lawyers who are highly-skilled and client-orientated with a focus on solution-driven results. Thank you to our valued clients for the continued recognition, and to our exceptionally talented lawyers for all their dedication and hard work.”
Highlights from Legal 500, clients and referrers:
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets:
The “highly-responsive” team counts banks and financial institutions among its client base, as well as ship and aircraft owners, lessors and lessees, and joint venture and project developers.
The firm’s offering is broad ranging, and includes providing advice on asset-backed, project, and infrastructure financing projects, syndicated loan facilities, and security documentation reviews.
Clive Langley, for whom international finance is a strength, and Tammy Richardson-Augustus who acts for clients in the energy, oil and gas, and maritime industries are key members of the team.
David Clark is dual-qualified in Bermuda and BVI, and he is particularly experienced in capital markets and structured finance.
The “knowledgeable” Arielle DeSilva is another key member of the practice, as well as Jerome Wilson who is notably strong in ship financing matters, and he represents lenders, borrowers, and equity sponsors.
“The team is professional, commercially-minded and extremely responsive and dedicated.”
“Clive Langley is exceptionally dedicated and responsive, as well as skilled.”
“Arielle DeSilva is very hard-working and tenacious, as well as knowledgeable.”
Corporate & Commercial:
Appleby is highly adept at supporting FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies with their complex cross-border transactions, which often involve offshore jurisdictions and multi-disciplinary elements. Its offering also encompasses advice on strategic growth and restructuring plans.
Team lead Brad Adderley boasts particular expertise in the insurance and reinsurance space.
Matthew Ebbs-Brewer heads up the funds and investment team. He has expertise in M&A and joint venture transactions, as does Josephine Noddings.
Jerome Wilson chairs the technology and innovation practice, and he is particularly skilled in the area of digital asset businesses.
Clive Langley is another notable name with strength in structuring asset-financed transactions.
Dispute Resolution:
Appleby houses a go-to “dispute resolution team for any complex, high-value litigation in Bermuda”. Commercial disputes involving minority shareholders, fair value appraisal proceedings, director liabilities, and corporate governance form a significant part of the firm’s offering.
Insolvency and restructuring litigation is another key area of expertise for the group, encompassing representation in corporate liquidations and multi-jurisdictional restructuring matters. The team is also adept at handling regulatory and trust-related disputes.
The practice is headed up by John Wasty, “an outstanding partner” who handles “the highest value, most complex litigation on the island”, especially contentious insolvency matters.
“I would thoroughly recommend the Appleby dispute resolution team for any complex, high-value litigation in Bermuda. Very well resourced and with many of the best lawyers on the island. Really easy to work with and equally at home managing an international team or slotting into an international team managed elsewhere.”
“The depth of knowledge within the practice makes it unique. The experience and competence in dispute resolution matters related to our industry are unmatched in Bermuda.”
“John Wasty is the consummate professional. A calming and knowledgeable advisor who can work efficiently with you to find a good path through any conflict or dispute. Very expert in his field but always able to provide sound, practical advice that is tailored to your needs and best interest.”
Sam Riihiluoma frequently represents liquidators in winding-up proceedings.
“Khiyara Krige – an exceptionally talented lawyer; diligent, across the detail and creative.”
James Batten is skilled in cases surrounding civil fraud.
Insurance/Reinsurance:
The “phenomenal” insurance and reinsurance practice is well-equipped to handle the establishment, regulatory compliance, and business operations of (re)insurance businesses, managers, and brokers. The practice is also experienced in insurance-related mergers, capital raising, and alternative risk transfer structures.
The practice is headed up by Brad Adderley who is praised as “the best in the world at Bermuda reinsurance law”. He boasts expertise in ILS, alternative, and collateralised reinsurance investment transactions.
Matthew Carr, for whom regulatory and transactional work are strengths, and Josephine Noddings who expertly handles corporate law elements of insurance matters are key members of the team.
John Wasty heads up the contentious insurance group and frequently acts for (re)insurers, the insured, captives, and brokers.
“From a relatively small but highly experienced team, they cover us on matters ranging from corporate, transactional, structure, tax, governance, regulatory, employment, immigration, vendor and any other local matter we may need. They are highly collaborative and well-coordinated across these services, making the team very efficient and effective for us.”
“I have worked with the team at Appleby in all aspects of establishing a new Bermuda reinsurance platform in the life and annuity sector, seeking registration and licensing, as well as engaging in reinsurance transactions. Their comprehensive approach to serving my team is exceptional and efficient for me.”
“Brad Adderley leads our team and is, in my estimation, the best in the world at Bermuda reinsurance law. It doesn’t matter where he is or what he is doing, if I have a challenge or a question, I have his direct insight. His team is phenomenal.”
“They are wonderfully diverse, which I appreciate wholeheartedly.”
Regulatory and Compliance:
With both contentious and non-contentious expertise, the team is highly adept at handling a wide range of business and financial services regulation matters, including compliance, corporate governance, and regulatory and risk advisory work. This offering encompasses assistance with AML and ATF programmes, sanction compliance policies, the mitigation of money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and the obtainment of regulatory licences.
John Wasty, who leads the regulatory practice, is also head of dispute resolution. His client base consists of (re)insurers, captives, hedge funds, investment advisors, and financial institutions, and he supports them throughout investigations and enforcement actions.
Sally Penrose from the corporate department is a key member of the firm’s legal focus group dedicated to driving legislative change.
“John Wasty provides invaluable insight and representation on litigious regulatory matters.”
Trusts/Private Client:
A wide range of contentious and non-contentious trust matters fall within the strong remit of the private client and trusts team at Appleby. Its expertise extends across the establishment, administration, restructuring, and termination of a variety of trusts, including private, charitable, purpose, and commercial.
Other areas of expertise for the department span advising on international estate planning for high-net-worth individuals and their families, trustee and beneficiary-related issues, and international wills.
Sam Riihiluoma heads up the trusts dispute practice, which oversees high-value litigation and court approved restructurings.
Vanessa Schrum has extensive expertise in assisting clients with non-contentious issues that often involve cross-jurisdictional matters.
Caljonah Smith is notable for advising on wills, enduring powers of attorney, and heath care directives.
Nicola Bruce has a particular interest in charitable and philanthropic trusts, as well as private family trusts.
Recognised lawyers include:
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets:
- Leading Partners: David Clark, Partner; Clive Langley, Partner; Tammy Richardson-Augustus, Partner
- Leading Associates: Arielle DeSilva, Associate
- Other Key Lawyers: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; Jerome Wilson, Partner
Corporate & Commercial:
- Leading Partners: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner; Matthew Ebbs-Brewer, Partner; Jerome Wilson, Partner
- Leading Associates: Josephine Noddings, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyers: David Clark, Partner; Clive Langley, Partner; Carl Meyer, Senior Associate
Dispute Resolution:
- Leading Partners: John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
- Next Generation Partners: Sam Riihiluoma, Partner
- Leading Associates: James Batten, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyers: Khiyara Krige, Counsel
Insurance/Reinsurance:
- Leading Partners: Brad Adderley, Bermuda Managing Partner
- Next Generation Partners: Matthew Carr, Partner
- Leading Associates: Josephine Noddings, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyers: John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution; Cathryn Minors, Counsel
Regulatory and Compliance:
- Leading Partners: Sally Penrose, Partner; John Wasty, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Trusts/Private Client:
- Leading Partners: Vanessa Schrum, Senior Counsel
- Next Generation Partners: Sam Riihiluoma, Partner
- Leading Associates: Caljonah Smith, Counsel
- Other Key Lawyers: Nicola Bruce, Partner
