Both the Bermuda and Cayman Islands offices retained their Band 2 department rankings, whilst the Isle of Man office saw an increase from Band 2 to 1. Globally five new lawyers were added to the individual rankings, representing a 44% increase from last year.
New Individual Rankings
- Mark Holligon, Band 1 – Isle of Man
- Sam Williams, Band 2 – Jersey
- Claire van Overdijk KC, Band 3 – Bermuda
- Nicole Bruce, Band 3 – Bermuda
- Melissa Wong, Associate to Watch – Isle of Man
Carlos de Serpa Pimentel and Vanessa Schrum maintained their Band 1 ranking from last year and were joined by Mark Holligon from the Isle of Man office who was ranked Band 1 for Offshore Trusts: Litigation.
Those individually recognised comprised:
- Bermuda – Partner Claire van Overdijk KC, Partner Nicola Bruce and Senior Counsel Vanessa Schrum,
- British Virgin Islands – Partner Carlos de Serpa Pimentel
- Cayman Islands – Partner Carlos de Serpa Pimentel, Partner Esmond Brown
- Guernsey – Counsel Paula Fry
- Isle of Man – Partner Mark Holligon, Counsel Erin Trimble-Cregeen, Senior Associate Melissa Wong
- Jersey – Partner Fraser Robertson, Partner Sam Williams, Advocate Giles Corbin
In the Bermuda office Claire van Overdijk KC (Band 3) is considered “Very responsive and knowledgeable in any instance.” Nicola Bruce (Band 3) was recognised as “Very technically astute” and Vanessa Schrum, (Band 1) considered the “go to person in the Bermuda trust industry.” Other sources describe her as providing “Excellent, detailed advice provided within very tight timeframes. She really considers all the issues and then provides client-friendly conclusions.” “Vanessa’s vast legal knowledge always results in succinct, creative advice.”
Carlos de Serpa Pimentel (Band 1) in the Cayman Islands office is described as “A truly outstanding lawyer. He is well respected by the industry as a whole and by the Cayman Court.” He is also considered as “Very calm and reassuring” with a further source describing him as “The standard bearer for partner level private wealth lawyers in Cayman. The way in which he deals with clients is unbelievable. His bedside manner is fantastic and he is very eloquent.” Carlos is also recognised in the ‘Expertise Based Abroad’ section of the British Virgin Islands rankings.
Esmond Brown (Band 3) is also based in the Cayman Islands and his ranking increased from ‘Up and Coming’ in 2024. Clients describe him as “A very strong lawyer that can deal with a wide variety of issues and matters” with others describing him as “A match for any lawyer on the island” and “Esmond Brown is excellent.”
In Guernsey, Paula Fry (Band 3) was described as “Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and efficient.”
Mark Holligon (Band 1) Offshore Trusts: Litigation based in the Isle of Man office was described as “An excellent team leader who has good legal and commercial awareness.” Erin Trimble Cregeen (Up and Coming) was described by clients as “Very knowledgeable and very good.” Another described her as “A very capable lawyer who always has the clients interest at the forefront of her mind.” Melissa Wong (Associates to Watch) is described as “Amazing all round” and “Friendly and articulate.”
In Jersey, Fraser Robertson (Band 2) Offshore Trusts: Litigation, increased his ranking from Band 3. Clients described him as “Very solid and good in contentious cases. He has a great reputation.” “Fraser Robertson is experienced and well known in the market. He is so affable and unflappable, and has a great instinct and eye for strategy.” He is also described as “A good advocate. He is very persuasive in court.”
Sam Williams (Band 2) Offshore Trusts: Litigation also based in Jersey was described by clients as “A very bright guy with a good future ahead of him” “Fantastic on his feet and a really impressive draftsman.” Others describe him as “Amazing. He does a lot of advocacy which, for a junior partner, is incredibly impressive.” Additionally, he is described as “Operating at a level beyond his qualification. He is very impressive.” “He often goes against people much more his senior and holds his own. He is thoughtful, steady and calm.” “Sam Williams is really clever, very good with clients, good on his feet and knows his trust law.”
Commenting on the recognition, Carlos de Serpa Pimentel said: “Our teams continue to provide exceptional advice across jurisdictions, and we are delighted to see this reflected in this year’s rankings. We are especially proud to see our people recognised individually, which reflects both their talent and the trust our clients place in us and we are grateful for our clients’ generous testimonials.”
These latest results further strengthen Appleby’s track record in the Chambers Global HNW Guide and Appleby would like to thanks its clients and peers who provided feedback to them and contributed to these results. The firm remains committed to delivering exceptional legal services to its clients globally.
