Bermudian lawyer Cameron Adderley is to retire from Appleby after more than 21 years as a partner with the international law firm.

Mr Adderley, who is to bow out on March 31, has served as office managing partner in the Hong Kong branch of the firm since 2017.

Appleby has appointed David Bulley in that role, effective January 3.

Mr Adderley said: “I am proud of Appleby and what the group has achieved during my tenure.

“It is time to pass the leadership and daily operations of the Hong Kong office onto my colleague David whose commercial insight and tenacity will drive the office to even further success.”

The firm said Mr Bulley will also head Appleby’s corporate practice in Hong Kong as well as continuing his position leading the firm’s Asia private equity, M&A and corporate restructuring teams and global co-head of special-purpose acquisition companies.

Recognised as a leading lawyer in each of his practice areas, the firm said, Mr Bulley has been named Cayman Islands Merger and Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year for the last three years running, having completed transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $80 billion during this time.

He was also named in Asia Legal Business’s 40 Under 40 in 2020.

Mr Bulley joined Appleby in 2015, originally in the firm’s Cayman office before transferring to Hong Kong in June last year.

He said: “I look forward to continuing to drive the development and progression of the office following the firm foundation set by Cameron during his five years as office managing partner.

“As one of the longest established offshore law firms in Hong Kong, we pride ourselves on providing astute commercial advice to meet our clients’ needs and the region continues to be an integral market for Appleby.”