Bermuda’s leading offshore law firms have held onto strong positions in the latest Legal 500 Caribbean guide, with Appleby the only firm ranked Tier 1 across all six Bermuda practice areas.

The 2027 guide, published yesterday, is based on law firm submissions, market research and feedback from clients, peers and referees. It covers banking, finance and capital markets; corporate and commercial; dispute resolution; insurance and reinsurance; regulatory and compliance; and trusts and private client work.

Appleby secured Tier 1 rankings in all six areas. The firm said Brad Adderley, its Bermuda managing partner and head of corporate, and John Wasty, head of dispute resolution, received Hall of Fame recognition. Legal 500 said Mr Adderley was “immersed” in the Bermuda re/insurance market, and called Mr Wasty a “great team leader.”

Mr Adderley, in a press release, said the result demonstrated a reputation built on “trusted to navigate complexity, known for our responsiveness and focused on delivering thoughtful, practical solutions”.

Carey Olsen kept five Tier 1 Bermuda practice rankings, including in corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, insurance and reinsurance, regulatory and compliance, and trusts and private client. Its banking, finance and capital markets practice was ranked Tier 2.

Conyers also held Tier 1 rankings in five Bermuda categories: banking, finance and capital markets; corporate and commercial; dispute resolution; insurance and reinsurance; and trusts and private client. It was ranked Tier 2 for regulatory and compliance.

Walkers retained Tier 1 positions in banking, finance and capital markets, dispute resolution, insurance and reinsurance, and regulatory and compliance, while its corporate and commercial practice was ranked Tier 2.

Kevin Taylor, Walkers’ Bermuda office managing partner, said: “These rankings give us a welcome opportunity to celebrate our Bermuda colleagues and thank our clients for the trust they place in us.”

The guide also recognised individual lawyers across the Bermuda market. Walkers said Adam Bathgate and Hannah Tildesley had moved into the Leading Partners category, while Samantha Walker was newly recognised as a Leading Associate in insurance and reinsurance.