Appleby Top Ranked By Chambers Global
Law firm Appleby has once again achieved the highest ranking in the 2017 edition of the Chambers Global Guide [Chambers], one of the most prestigious directories in the legal industry.
The Chambers & Partners rankings cited Appleby as one of only three firms globally in Band 1. The Guide said Appleby is “distinguished by its extensive global network, encompassing offices in all major offshore financial centres, as well as an established presence in Hong Kong.”
Sources acknowledge the firm’s “enduring strength in its home jurisdiction of Bermuda, as well as its dominant positions in the Mauritius, Seychelles and the Isle of Man markets.”
Appleby’s Bermuda Insurance and Dispute Resolution practice teams continue to be top ranked. Most notably, partners Brad Adderley and Alan Bossin continue to be the only Bermuda lawyers ranked in Band 1 for Insurance by Chambers. John Wasty and John Riihiluoma are also ranked Band 1 for Dispute Resolution.
Chambers recognises Appleby’s Bermuda Insurance team as Band 1 and praises the team for “its highly respected department counting several highly experienced insurance and reinsurance practitioners amongst its lawyers” and its “impressive reputation for handling major transactional insurance issues.” Sources praise the team for its “in-depth industry knowledge, as well as its top-notch and seamless advice.”
Chambers also names Appleby’s Bermuda Dispute Resolution team as Band 1 and describes the team as “a standout department with formidable bench strength and great breadth of expertise among its practitioners, with particular experience in contentious issues.”
The “very client-focused” team wins plaudits for its sense of strategy, as well as its “understanding of budgetary issues.” Chambers adds that the team is regularly involved in some of Bermuda’s most complex and high-value litigations.
Appleby Bermuda’s Corporate & Finance team, which is also ranked, has a “highly regarded and very active practice” and “instructed in many of Bermuda’s most notable high-value transactions.” Chambers cites that clients view the team’s commercial approach as a major strength.
One source commented, “I want to know what the general principles are, where the laws deviate and get practical advice. I found Appleby were willing to work that way, and they’re good at it.” Sources add: “For real-time judgment calls, involving comparative legal analysis, I feel comfortable with Appleby.”
Tim Faries, Bermuda Managing Partner, said “Chambers is a respected legal researcher, which serves as further validation of Appleby’s deep expertise and first-class service across our ten jurisdictions.”
Faries adds: “We are honoured to be the only firm in Bermuda top ranked in the offshore global category. We are also very pleased to continue to be highly recognised across our Insurance, Dispute Resolution and Corporate teams in Bermuda. Our teams are comprised of highly-skilled practioners with an unwavering commitment to our clients, which is reflected in Chambers’ research and rankings.”
Notable Insurance practitioners ranked by Chambers include:
Bermuda Managing Partner Timothy Faries has broad insurance expertise, including in public and private capital raising, insurance M&A, public listings and a wide range of issues relating to captive insurance companies. He led the team advising PartnerRe on its USD6.9 billion merger with EXOR.
Clients praise partner Brad Adderley for his strong interpersonal skills and deep insurance expertise, pointing particularly to his “good knowledge of insurance-linked securities.” He also advises on a wide range of other insurance and reinsurance matters, including alternative and collateralised reinsurance investment transactions.
Partner Alan Bossin has a wealth of experience in insurance and reinsurance matters, including capital raising, securitisation, catastrophe bond structures and segregated accounts. One client noted: “He understands business needs and doesn’t come back with legalese.” Another source praised his “tremendous, client-focused attention to detail.”
Notable Dispute Resolution practitioners ranked by Chambers include:
One client highlighted partner John Wasty’s “excellent judgement,” adding: “He’s my first port of call for any kind of dispute resolution matter.” Another source described him as “technically accomplished, with excellent negotiating skills.” Wasty’s broad dispute resolution experience encompasses the full range of insolvency, investment fund and insurance litigation, in addition to general commercial proceedings. He became department head in Spring 2017.
The “very experienced”partner Keith Robinson is well known for his specialism in high-value trusts disputes. He receives considerable praise for his work in this field, with several sources viewing him as the pre-eminent trusts litigator on the island. Interviewees also consider him to be “a very intelligent guy.” In addition to trusts work, restructuring mandates form the other main strand of his practice.
Senior Counsel John Riihiluoma is “very respected” among his peers in the jurisdiction, leaving sources impressed by his “very sound advice.” A veteran practitioner, he continues to lead the team in some of its largest cases. His practice includes reinsurance and shareholder disputes, as well as directors’ and officers’ liability actions.
Notable Corporate & Finance practitioners ranked by Chambers include:
Partner Steven Rees Davies takes the lead on a number of the team’s largest transactions. One peer described him as “responsive and knowledgeable,” stating that he’s “great when he’s on the other side,” while a client said simply: “I don’t think I’d want to go to anyone else.”
Partner Clive Langley regularly advises on asset finance transactions, acting both for borrowers and lenders. Sources remark on his “delightful manner” and impressive knowledge of the issues impacting major transactions.
Chambers guides are the culmination of thousands of in-depth interviews by the largest research team of its kind and are trusted globally to objectively rank the world’s best lawyers and law firms. Chambers have been ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990, and now cover 185 jurisdictions throughout the world.
