Kiernan Bell, partner and head of dispute resolution at offshore law firm Appleby in Bermuda, will be retiring from the partnership on March 31, 2017. Partner John Wasty will take over from Ms. Bell effective April 1, 2017.
Ms. Bell has been with Appleby for 23 years, 15 of which as a partner serving in leadership roles including Bermuda managing partner, a position she held until December 2015. She is a past president of the Bermuda Bar Council and currently serves as the chair of the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. Ms. Bell also was recently appointed as the chair of the Bermuda Business Development Agency, after serving as a director for the agency's first three years.
Tim Faries, Bermuda managing partner said of Ms. Bell's retirement from the partnership, “Kiernan has a passion for the law and for Bermuda. She has always been the ultimate team player and made a significant contribution to the success of Appleby over the years. Some of these efforts have been unsung, visible only to her partners, and some, like Appleby becoming the Official Law Firm of the 35th America's Cup have been well known by all. The fact is that she has made a huge impact on our firm and leaves us better for it. Kiernan is leaving the firm at the top of her game and I have every confidence that she will bring that same energy and intellectual vigor to her next venture.”
Ms. Bell said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with my friends and colleagues at Appleby over the last two decades. While I am excited about the future, I leave Appleby secure in the knowledge that the next generation of Appleby lawyers are rich in talent and integrity, and the firm will go from strength to strength.”
Mr. Wasty has been with Appleby for nine years having previously practiced in London and Hong Kong. He specializes in the areas of commercial dispute resolution, restructuring, insolvency and funds litigation. Mr. Wasty has a regulatory practice. Mr. Wasty also leads Appleby's insurance and reinsurance disputes group, which acts on behalf of carriers, policyholders, brokers and other intermediaries in a wide variety of disputes.
Mr. Faries said, “John is a first class litigator who has long been recognized as a leading lawyer in the jurisdiction. He brings a wealth of expertise and unwavering commitment to his clients. I am confident he will serve the team exceptionally well in his new role.”
Learn more: http://www.applebyglobal.com/.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].