900 times was welcomed to the world of financial law on Friday when she was called to the Bermuda Bar.

Ms Audette Evelyn Exel spent 18 months cycling through Europe and the Middle East prior to coming to Bermuda.

She travelled with friend and fellow lawyer Ms Sharon Beesley, who will be called to the Bermuda Bar next week.

Born in New Zealand, the 30-year-old began parachuting in 1979 and has since jumped all over the world, including Australia and Hong Kong.

Ms Exel completed her bachelor's degree in French and history at the University of Wellington, New Zealand in 1982 and went on to complete an honours degree in law at Melbourne University, Australia, in 1984.

She has been called to the Supreme Court Bar of Victoria, Australia and also to the High Court of England and Wales.

She practised international finance law at prestigious firms in Australia and Hong Kong. Her job contacts led her to come to Bermuda 18 months ago to head the banking department at Milligan-Whyte & Smith.

Pictured left, Ms Exel is congratulated by Mrs. Lynda Milligan-Whyte.