Appleby Sponsors Inaugural Family Office Retreat Bermuda 2026

Appleby’s participation will span two of Prestel and Partner’s premier private wealth events this October. Prior to the Bermuda Retreat, Claire van Overdijk KC, Head of Appleby’s Private Client & Trusts practice in Bermuda and Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution department, and Lalita Vaswani, Partner in the firm’s Corporate practice in Bermuda, will attend the Family Office Forum New York 2026, before joining family office leaders, family members and advisers from around the world at the inaugural Bermuda Retreat.

Hosted by Prestel and Partner, the Bermuda Retreat will bring together a small group of private single-family office decision makers and family members in a curated setting designed to foster meaningful conversations, trusted connections and the exchange of ideas among peers and invited experts. Building on the success of previous Family Office Retreats, the event provides a unique opportunity for private wealth families to connect in an informal, productive and exclusively private environment.

As part of the programme, Claire will lead a discussion entitled ‘Plan for the Best and Prepare for the Worst: Hedging Your Risk When Living Across Borders.’ The conversation will explore wealth structuring and estate planning considerations for internationally mobile families navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.

Commenting on the events, Claire said: “We are thrilled to be participating in both the Family Office Forum New York and the inaugural Family Office Bermuda Retreat. Together, these events provide valuable opportunities to connect with family office leaders, families and trusted advisers from around the world, and to exchange perspectives on the issues shaping private wealth today. As families increasingly manage assets, interests and relationships across multiple jurisdictions, thoughtful planning has never been more important. Bermuda continues to be a jurisdiction of choice for international families, supported by a sophisticated legal framework, well-established trust law and deep professional expertise. At Appleby, we are privileged to advise families, family offices, trustees and fiduciaries on the preservation, succession and governance of wealth across generations, and we look forward to contributing to these important discussions.”

Claire has a broad private client practice advising on domestic and offshore wealth structuring and estate planning matters, including the establishment, restructuring and termination of trust structures, trust administration, probate and testamentary issues. She regularly advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trustees, beneficiaries, settlors, protectors and family offices on complex cross-border trust and estate matters. Her practice also extends to domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes involving trusts, estates, and commercial matters. Claire’s expertise is widely recognised by leading legal directories. She is ranked in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2026 Offshore Trusts Guide, recognised as a Leading Partner by Legal 500, and listed in Tier 1 of the Private Client Global Elite Directory. Most recently, she was shortlisted for Lawyer of the Year – Litigation at the 2027 Citywealth IFC Awards. Clients describe Claire as “having a razor-sharp mind, thinks outside the box and has great strategic insight into cases which have cross-border elements.”

Joining Claire at both events will be Lalita Vaswani, Partner in Appleby’s Corporate practice, who works closely with the firm’s Private Client & Trusts team and advises international clients on complex corporate matters, including company structuring/restructuring, governance, transactions and cross-border investments.  Legal 500 has recognized Lalita for “her pragmatic and diligent approach”, “attention to detail of the facts presented on client engagements”, and praise her as “highly dedicated, practical and intelligent.”

Prestel and Partner’s Family Office Forum New York 2026 is taking place on 13-14 October 2026 at The Harvard Club. Recognised as one of North America’s leading gatherings for private single-family offices, the Forum brings together family office principals, family members and select industry experts to discuss governance, investment strategy, succession planning and the issues shaping family wealth across generations.

The Bermuda Retreat follows immediately thereafter and marks the first time the event has been held in Bermuda, reflecting the island’s growing prominence as an international centre for trusts, private wealth and family office structures. This is an invitation only event including a small number of handpicked trusted experts participating alongside Appleby.

Organised by Prestel and Partner, a global leader in family office conferences and forums, both events form part of an established international programme that brings together family office leaders, family members and a select group of trusted advisers in a collaborative and private environment. Now in its fifteenth year, Prestel and Partner hosts family office forums and retreats across major international wealth centres, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing and lasting professional relationships.

Appleby’s Private Client & Trusts team advises international individuals, families, family offices, trustees and other advisers on all aspects of trusts and estates law, including the establishment, administration, restructuring and termination of private, charitable and commercial trusts and foundation structures. The team is recognised for advising on complex, high-value structures, combining deep technical expertise with strong contentious capability, and supporting clients across the full lifecycle of wealth planning, succession, administration and disputes.