International law firm Appleby, which has deep roots in Bermuda and a significant presence on the island, has finished in second place in the Offshore Law Firm of the Year category at awards presented by British legal publication, The Lawyer.

While multi-jurisdiction firm Ogier won the top prize, Appleby was “highly commended”. International firm Bedell Cristin was “commended”, and took third place. The other finalists were mid-sized Bermudian firm Marshall, Diel & Myers Ltd, as well as international firms Carey Olsen, Campbells, Harneys, and Maples Group.

Of the eight finalists, Marshall, Diel and Myers Ltd was the only sole-jurisdiction firm to be nominated.

Catrin Griffiths, editor at TThe Lawyer, said it is “pretty rare” for a mid-sized, sole-jurisdiction firm to be nominated in the category. “Most of the offshore law firms that feature at The LawyerAwards tend to have globalised quite rapidly over the past decade,” she said.

Appleby has ten offices worldwide, while Carey Olsen has nine offices globally, and carries on business in Bermuda via Carey Olsen Bermuda Ltd. The firm won the award in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Maples Group, with ten offices globally, provides a suite of fiduciary services in Bermuda.

Shortlists for The Lawyer Awards were decided by more than 60 judges from across the industry.