Appleby’s head of dispute resolution retires; successor named
Bermuda-based law firm Appleby has announced that Kiernan Bell, partner and head of dispute resolution, will be retiring on March 31, 2017. She will be replaced by John Wasty from April 1, 2017.
The company said that the two partners will be working closely over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
Bell has been with Appleby for 23 years, 15 of which as a partner serving in a myriad of 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. Bell was also recently appointed as the chair of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), after serving as a director for the agency’s first three years.
Most recently, she was recognised by Chambers Global for her expertise in insolvency, professional negligence and fund disputes.
“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,” said Tim Faries, Bermuda managing partner.
"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 vigour to her next venture.”
Wasty has been with Appleby for nine years having previously practised in London and Hong Kong. He specialises in the areas of commercial dispute resolution, restructuring, insolvency and funds litigation. Wasty has an extensive regulatory practice. He has represented clients in a wide variety of commercial disputes in Bermuda, London, the US, Europe and Asia.
His international and local commercial dispute resolution expertise includes advising on complex international restructuring and insolvency issues including schemes of arrangement, regulatory (Bermuda Monetary Authority, Financial Intelligence Agency and Regulatory Authority of Bermuda) disputes and advisory matters, funds, fund manager and investor issues, M&A, financial institution and shareholder and joint ventures. He also frequently advises on corporate governance and sanctions related issues.
Wasty also leads Appleby’s re/insurance disputes group which acts on behalf of carriers, policyholders, brokers and other intermediaries in a wide variety of disputes. He is admitted in Bermuda, New York (Southern District) and four other jurisdictions and is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has been involved in numerous institutional and ad hoc arbitrations in Bermuda and internationally.
Faries said: “John is a first-class litigator who has long been recognised 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.”
