Offshore law firm Appleby has made a number of recent appointments across its practice areas in Jersey.
The Group’s growing Property team has welcomed Kate Westwater as Counsel and Tracey Walsh as Senior Legal Assistant.
Kate was sworn in as a Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey in November 2013 after 10 years of conveyancing practice, and was then sworn in as an Advocate of the Royal Court on in October 2017. Kate has substantial experience in residential transactions, lending, commercial property transactions, conveyancing research and advice. She also provides advice on probate and capacity matters, complex will drafting and lasting powers of attorney.
Kate explained: “I am delighted to join the experienced property team at Appleby, with its reputation for high quality advice on a full range of transactions. I am glad to be part of such a welcoming and friendly global team”.
Tracey joins Appleby as Senior Legal Assistant in the Property Department team and brings extensive experience in flying freehold sales and purchases, freehold sales, equity releases, share transfer transactions and refinances.
Tracey said: “I am very excited to have joined Appleby’s experienced and well-respected Property Team. Everyone has been extremely welcoming and I look forward to working with the Team.”
In addition to these appointments Appleby has also welcomed Nichola Aldridge as Counsel, Johanna Murphy as Senior Associate and Stephen Le Cornu, Michael Davies and Inyeneobong Udoh, all as Associates to its expanding Corporate team.
Nichola was admitted as a Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey in October 2017 and was later admitted to the Bar of the Royal Court in March 2021. She has over 14 years’ experience of specialising in non-contentious trust, foundation and company matters in a private wealth context. She advises on the establishment, operation and dissolution of private and commercial trust structures and has dealt with a number of complex restructurings as part of her practice.
Nichola said: “With its core values of professionalism, integrity and excellent client service, Appleby is one of the world’s leading international law firms. I am thrilled to join and look forward to building on the firm’s highly regarded international private client and trusts team.”
Johanna was admitted as a Solicitor in Scotland in 2014 and the British Virgin Islands in 2018. After qualifying in Edinburgh, Johanna relocated to Jersey and specialised in real estate and fund finance transactions involving large financial institutions and corporate borrowers. In 2018, she relocated to the BVI to continue acting on real estate financing transactions and a broad range of corporate transactions. Johanna has now joined the Appleby Team and will be assisting the corporate and finance teams in both Jersey and the BVI.
Johanna eplained: “I am thrilled to join Appleby’s thriving corporate team. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, which is very much appreciated, and I am looking forward to working alongside this dynamic group.”
Stephen was admitted as a Solicitor of the Royal Court of Jersey in September 2018. Stephen has experience of advising on debt finance matters, mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. This has involved advising on loan facility documentation and other transaction documents from a Jersey law perspective, as well as drafting and negotiating corporate authorisations and security documents on both local and multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Stephen said: “Appleby has a combination of a first-class reputation and high-quality work that I am looking forward to getting involved in. The firm also has a real focus on promoting a positive culture and a collaborative environment, making it an exciting place to work.”
Michael was admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales on 2 September 2021. Prior to joining Appleby, Michael completed his training contract and subsequently qualified with another firm in Jersey. He has experience regarding a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, with a particular interest in M&A and corporate restructuring. Michael also advises regarding listings on The International Stock Exchange.
Michael noted: “I am thrilled to join Appleby as a part of the firm’s Corporate team, which has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. I look forward to working with our clients and fellow professional advisers on market-leading corporate transactions.”
Inyeneobong was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 2017 and started out representing organisations in commercial dispute processes. Inyeneobong has been responsible for advising on local and cross-border mergers acquisitions and restructurings, as well as negotiating and drafting operational contracts, corporate documents and advising boards of major companies. He said: “Appleby has a reputation for excellence, collegiality and superlative service delivery and I am incredibly delighted to be a part of the team.”
Appleby Jersey Office Managing Partner, James Gaudin, said:” We are delighted to welcome all of our new colleagues to the firm. They will bring valuable experience and skill to both the Property and Corporate teams reinforcing the depth and breadth of our practice and contribute significantly to the continued growth and success of the Jersey office.”
Pictured from left to right: Tracey Walsh, Stephen Le Cornu, Kate Westwater, Johanna Murphy, Nichola Aldridge, Michael Davies and Inyeneobong Udoh.
