Michael Mello QC Joins Appleby
Michael J. Mello QC will join Appleby’s Private Client & Trusts practice as Counsel from next month. Mr Mello, a founding partner at domestic firm Mello, Jones & Martin, is widely recognised in Bermuda and in the private client market as being a leading barrister.
Appleby Partner and Local Practice Head of Private Client & Trusts in Bermuda, Vanessa Schrum said: “We regard this as a very exciting development for our team. Michael brings with him a wealth of experience and seniority in the private client area that others would find difficult to match.”
“The team is excited to be welcoming not only an expert in his field, but also a great mentor. Michael will of course be a real asset in terms of client relationships, but he will also play a significant role in nurturing our junior lawyers.”
Michael Mello QC said: “Appleby’s Private Client & Trusts practice is widely recognised both in Bermuda and internationally for the quality of its advice and talented team. I am very much looking forward to working with Appleby to further consolidate the firm’s reputation as the leading group of lawyers advising in the private client arena.”
Appleby’s Private Client and Trusts Group recently picked up a hat trick of awards for its work, including the coveted Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners, ‘International Private Client Law Firm of the Year’ award 2011/2012. Its global footprint extends across eight offshore jurisdictions.
Carlos de Serpa Pimentel, Appleby’s Practice Group Head of Private Client & Trusts said “Michael’s recruitment adds significant weight to our private client and trusts team further enhancing the strength and depth of the service we offer clients, particularly in Bermuda.”
Appleby’s Managing Partner in Bermuda, Kiernan Bell, also commented, “The Private Client & Trusts Group is an important element of Appleby’s full service offering and the recruitment of Michael, a highly respected senior practitioner adds to the strength of the team.”
Mr Mello has been practising as a barrister and lawyer in Bermuda since 1973. He was a founding member of Michael J. Mello (barrister and attorney) in 1981, subsequently, Mello, Jones & Martin where he was a senior partner until recently.
He has a long career history in Bermuda where he has undertaken roles including being a Crown Agent for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, from 1987 to 1990.
He was also Acting Registrar for the Supreme Court of Bermuda during vacation periods, between 1976 to 1994, and a member of the board of directors of Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited between 1990 and 2005.
Earlier this month it was announced that former Attorney General Saul Froomkin QC had also left Mello, Jones & Martin, joining the ISIS Law firm.
