MARSHALL DIEL & MYERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Managing Director
Adam Richards is a Director and Barrister, practicing primarily in the area of Family and Matrimonial law. Adam is one of the most experienced matrimonial attorneys in Bermuda having appeared successfully in many of the leading cases in the jurisdiction.
Before joining Marshall Diel & Myers Limited in 2009, Adam worked as a Barrister at Temple Chambers in the United Kingdom having been called to the Bar in 2003. Adam specialized in family law early in his career and developed a strong and varied practice, regularly appearing in the County Court and High Court.
Adam was appointed a Director in 2012 and currently acts as the firm's Managing Director. He is responsible for the management of the firm with a particular focus on the supervision of the firm's student programs and the development of junior attorneys.
Expertise
Adam is very experienced in all areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, with a particular interest in financial proceedings. Adam regularly conducts cases of considerable complexity, including matters involving significant wealth, company assets and trust structures. Adam also has extensive experience in child related matters, routinely acting for clients in disputes involving the care, custody and maintenance of children including a number of cases with an international element. In particular, Adam appeared successfully in the Court of Appeal in a contested Hague Convention application and has represented clients in many of the leading judgments on applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction.
Adam is a confident and accomplished advocate and has routinely appeared in trials in the Supreme Court and before the Court of Appeal for Bermuda. He seeks to be empathetic to a client's circumstances whilst providing straight-forward advice and practical solutions to achieve the best outcome for each individual.
Education
Cardiff University, Wales (LLB 2001 & Bar Vocational Course 2002)
Alma Dismont is a Senior Associate at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited having joined the Matrimonial and Family Team in March 2014. During her legal education in England, the University of Law awarded Alma the Pro Bono Student of the Year Award. She also gained coveted placements at London based firms before moving to Bermuda with her Bermudian husband. Alma completed her pupillage in Bermuda and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 2013.
During her training and when commencing her practice, Alma was exposed to all areas of practice in a busy litigation practitioner's chambers where she gained experience litigating civil and matrimonial cases before the Magistrates' Court and the Supreme Court.
As part of the Matrimonial and Family team, Alma undertakes all aspects of family and matrimonial work, including divorce, separation, financial matters, children's matters and domestic violence protection order matters. She continues to appear regularly in Magistrates' Court and in Supreme Court.
Alma is extremely dedicated to her work and her clients. Her priority is obtaining the best result for her clients whether through negotiation or litigation. She prides herself on providing support and understanding to clients while providing common sense advice.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate in
Changez is a Senior Associate in Marshall Diel & Myers Limited's commercial litigation team: his special interests are in company, employment and insurance law disputes. He has a sound understanding of litigation strategy and a depth of advocacy experience, having practised as a barrister for 14 years in London (where he was recognized by the directories).
He acts for and against directors, shareholders, companies and insurers, as well as regulators and government bodies.
Holding degrees in English law and French law, Changez is adept at traversing different legal systems and is also a fluent French speaker.
Expertise
Changez offers expertise in disputes involving: the exit of senior executives, alleged wrongdoing by directors, shareholder claims, D&O liability insurance and misuse of confidential information. Often, these arise in a cross-border context where issues of Bermuda, English and US law intersect.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director in the Litigation and Advice Team
Dantae is a Director in the Litigation and Advice Team at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited with extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation. Prior to joining Marshall Diel & Myers Limited in 2016, Dantae had broad experience in criminal, civil and constitutional law which he has steadily expanded to include public law, employment law and personal injury.
Expertise
Dantae is a rising star in the firm's litigation department. Dantae's practice encompasses advising clients on all aspects of debt collection, contractual disputes, employment law, commercial litigation, personal injury, constitution law and judicial review. He has regularly appeared before all levels of courts, gaining extensive advocacy experience whilst conducting Magistrates' Court trials, Supreme Court trials, chambers and petition hearings and appeals before the Court of Appeal.
Dantae regularly drafts advices and opinions on complex public law, banking and statutory interpretation matters.
In addition to maintaining a diverse practice, Dantae regularly works closely with Senior Partners and Queen's Counsel in relation to a variety of contentious matters. In particular, Dantae acted in a high profile judicial review case relating to search warrants, statutory interpretation, doctor-patient confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
Dantae also regularly advises on commercial agreements and is regularly instructed to draft business documents that convey the clients' wishes.
Darren is a Director of Marshall Diel & Myers Limited and is the Head of the Property Practice Group, having joined the firm in 2009 after several years in private practice in the United Kingdom.
Expertise
Darren deals with a wide range of residential and commercial property transactions and acts for a number of large corporate and high net worth individuals in Bermuda in relation to acquisitions, disposals, financing, landlord and tenant and other property related matters. He also acts for local lenders in relation to various security matters affecting property in Bermuda. Darren has considerable experience in advising international clients on acquisition of high value estate homes in Bermuda.
Darren takes a practical, commercial approach to his workload and strives to deliver a high quality and cost-efficient solution to his clients. He has established a reputation as a meticulous, diligent and responsive attorney.
Education
University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England (LLB Hons, 1995)
Georgia Marshall is a Director at Marshall Diel & Myers and has over 25 years' experience as a family and matrimonial lawyer. After training as an attorney in Canada, Georgia commenced her practice in Bermuda with leading family lawyer, Ann Frith Cartwright. She joined Marshall & Company in 1993 and became a partner in 2000. Georgia is an experienced strategist and under her guidance, the Matrimonial and Family Team has become the leading and largest matrimonial practice in Bermuda.
Expertise
As the leading specialist in family and matrimonial law in Bermuda, Georgia undertakes work touching on all aspects of matrimonial and family law. She frequently appears in all levels of Bermuda's Courts, including the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Georgia is the only Bermudian matrimonial attorney who is a member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML), an organisation of leading family practitioners from around the world.
Over her many years of practice, Georgia has developed unparalleled expertise in all matters related to the breakdown of marriages and relationships. She has an outstanding reputation in dealing with complex financial cases, often involving trusts, family businesses and assets in more than one jurisdiction. She is also experienced in jurisdictional disputes, pre-nuptial agreements and difficult children cases.
Georgia is committed to providing the highest level of service to her clients. Her breadth and depth of experience ensures that her clients receive the very best advice and representation. She has built her reputation as a tenacious and passionate advocate with a result orientated approach.
Education
University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada (B.A., Commerce and Economics, 1982)
University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada (LL.B., 1985)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in the Litigation and Advice Team
Jonathan is an Associate in the Litigation and Advice Team at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited. He began his legal career in 2016 as a pupil at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited training under Katie Tornari and Adam Richards. During his young career he has conducted a wide variety of matters in the Magistrates' Court and Supreme Court. He has also sat as junior counsel to Queen's Counsel in both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal and is currently assisting in the preparation of an appeal to the Privy Counsel.
Expertise
Jonathan's practice includes both civil and criminal litigation and non-litigious work such as commercial transactions and estate planning. Jonathan's breadth of practice enables him to advise clients needing multi-faceted advice or advice on multiple matters simultaneously.
Education
University of Buckingham (LL.B, (First Class Hons) 2014)
Katie is a Director at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited and has almost 20 years' experience as a lawyer. Prior to joining Marshall Diel & Myers Limited, Katie was a Solicitor in the Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation Group at Edwards Wildman LLP in London. She joined Marshall Diel & Myers Limited in 2008 and was appointed as a director in 2012. Katie is active in the development and supervision of MDM's student and pupillage programs.
Expertise
Katie's practice encompasses all aspects of commercial litigation with a particular focus on complex, high value and cross-jurisdictional commercial disputes for clients in Bermuda and internationally and insurance and reinsurance disputes. Katie frequently works as part of an international team and works closely with King's Counsel and instructing attorneys from major firms in England, Canada and United States. In particular she has acted in high value disputes relating to trusts, financial institutions, funds, professional negligence, the affairs of companies, their directors and shareholders, insolvencies, employment, personal injury and medical negligence. She frequently drafts and negotiates non-disclosure, confidentiality and settlement agreements.
Katie also manages the insurance and reinsurance practice and has significant experience in handling large insurance coverage disputes in arbitration and, in particular, disputes concerning the Bermuda form. Katie also has extensive experience of arbitrations which have addressed various highly contentious London market issues for both solvent and insolvent reinsurance companies and has acted for clients in the live market and clients that are in run-off, including Lloyd's corporate members.
Katie also regularly advises on commercial and regulatory matters and is regularly instructed to draft commercial agreements and business related documents in a manner that articulates the message which the client wishes to convey. In particular, Katie is legal counsel to one of the biggest oil and gas suppliers in Bermuda and is involved in drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements for every aspect of their business and advising them in relation to legal issues that arise in the operation of their business.
Katie is extremely passionate about her work. She is not only able to grasp complex legal issues very easily but she understands what it means to deliver results for her client. She will always ensure that she understands her clients' commercial objectives and their businesses to achieve the results that they want.
Mark is a Director of Marshall Diel & Myers Limited with over 30 years of experience. After completing his pupillage in London, Mark started his practice in Bermuda in 1987 gaining a broad experience in criminal, civil, constitutional and administrative litigation. Mark and fellow director Ronald Myers formed their law partnership in 1998 bearing the name Diel & Myers Limited. Diel & Myers quickly established a reputation as one of the top litigation firms in Bermuda. In 2002, Marshall and Aicardi joined with Diel & Myers to become Marshall Diel & Myers Limited.
Expertise
Mark is widely regarded as one of the top commercial litigators in Bermuda and he has developed his reputation as a tenacious and no-nonsense advocate. He has appeared as advocate in all level of courts in Bermuda and has appeared before the Privy Council. When necessary he works as part of an international team of commercial litigation attorneys and works closely with Queen's Counsel and instructing attorneys from major firms in England, Canada and United States.
Mark has a wealth of litigation and corporate experience, and specialises in contentious commercial litigation. He has appeared as counsel in most of the significant insolvency cases in Bermuda over the past 15 years across a number of business fields including funds, insurance and telecommunications. He was involved in the Focus case which developed ground breaking law in concerning the liability of Bermuda directors in relation to acts of negligence in an insolvent company. His other significant cases have made new law and practice in relation to applicability and enforceability of RICO statutes, the roles of liquidators in litigation generally, the enforcement of overseas arbitrations and company compliance with anti-money laundering provisions.
While Mark's current practice focuses on commercial litigation with particular emphasis on corporate insolvency, restructuring and bankruptcy, Mark has also been involved in some of the most important constitutional cases in Bermuda which assisted in defining the right to a fair trial and the right to protection from deprivation of property.
Mark also has extensive experience in administrative law in particular telecommunications law having been involved in litigation representing major service providers including the Bermuda Telephone Company, Logic Communications and Telebermuda International.
Mark's clients benefit from their breadth of his ligation experience and knowledge. They appreciate his focused approach that keeps an eye on the realities of commercial litigation. Mark is highly regarded by his clients for his thoroughness, litigation savvy and practical advice.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Law Reform Committee
Ronald Myers is a director of Marshall Diel & Myers Limited and manages the firm's commercial law practice. Ronald is also the principal source of knowledge support for the Litigation and Advice Team. He has over 30 years of legal experience specializing in constitutional and administrative law, statutory and regulatory law, contract drafting and interpretation and general commercial litigation and advice. Ronald is one of the senior regulatory lawyers in Bermuda.
Ronald began his career in litigation, moved to parliamentary drafting and then obtained his postgraduate qualifications in 1987. He spent the next seven years as parliamentary counsel and legal advisor to various Governments in the Caribbean, as well as in Bermuda, returning to private practice in 1994. In 1998, he and fellow director Mark Diel formed their law partnership, Diel & Myers. In 2002 Marshall and Aicardi joined with Diel & Myers to become Marshall Diel & Myers.
Expertise
Ronald is the firm's leading knowledge resource on a broad range of legal matters. In his role as expert advisor to the Litigation and Advice Group, he has prepared or assisted in the preparation of cases at every level and played a significant part in many of the firm's major successes. Ronald has extensive experience in handling a range of legal matters relating to disputes between employers and employees; companies and shareholders; and trustees and beneficiaries. He regularly drafts and reviews commercial contracts and advises on complex public law, statutory and contract enforcement and interpretation matters.
Ronald spends much of his time as an expert advisor to attorneys engaged in large and complex civil litigation matters. He is a seasoned specialist in public law litigation, including commercial judicial review matters touching on constitutional and administrative law issues, as well as issues of statutory interpretation. He is also well versed in litigation turning on issues of contractual interpretation and enforcement, as well as directorial duties and powers. As a skilled legal draftsman, he regularly advises clients on contract drafting issues. He often works with international teams of commercial litigation attorneys and Queen's Counsel. Ronald has been involved in some of the most important constitutional cases in Bermuda and has appeared before the Privy Council.
Ronald has significant experience serving the telecommunications, oil & gas, technology, financial services and public sectors. He has represented many of the leading telecommunications companies advising on new regulatory landscapes and regulatory reform and has been lead counsel to two major energy companies. As the firm's public law specialist he has frequently represented clients at numerous regulatory hearings and in relation to numerous regulatory matters. Ronald also continues to advise the Government in various matters at varying levels of complexity, having previously been the principal advisor to the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Immigration and the Bermuda Monetary Authority when he was engaged by the Attorney General.
Ronald has served as a member of the Law Reform Committee and the National Training Board, and while engaged by the Attorney General, acted as his representative on the Insurance Advisory Committee.
Education
University of the West Indies (at Cave Hill), Barbados, West Indies (LL.B (Hons.), 1983)
Hugh Wooding Law School, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies (LEC, 1985)
University of the West Indies (at Cave Hill), Barbados, West Indies (Dip. Leg., 1987)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in the Litigation and Advice Team
- Founding Member of the Mental Health Treatment Court Programme
Saul is an Associate in the Litigation and Advice Team at Marshall Diel & Myers Limited. He returned home to Berm uda from England in 2010, where he was educated. He has over six years post-qualification experience as an attorney and has regularly appeared in the Supreme Court and Magistrates' Court, including ‘Special Courts' such as Family Court, Juvenile Court and Mental Health Treatment Court. He has appeared in all levels of court.
Expertise
Saul has a reputation for handling difficult cases and his advocacy, probity and interest in human rights have led him to specialise in representing vulnerable people. He has completed the UK ‘Children Law Accreditation Scheme' training, a prerequisite for representing children in the English court system, and he is the only lawyer in Bermuda appointed by our courts to represent children.
Through successful legal challenges Saul has caused the early release of children unlawfully detained at police stations and prison. Consequently, this has ended the practice of sending child defendants to prison and the practice of passing indefinite terms of imprisonment.
Saul is a founding member of the Mental Health Treatment Court Programme. He is also the only lawyer representing patients detained at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute under the Mental Health Act.
Saul has been on the defence team for serious criminal trials and appeals led by the illustrious criminal defence attorneys Elizabeth Christopher and John Perry QC. Such experience has aided his thorough approach to agamut of legal matters, which often enables him to provide alateral solution to an ‘impossible'legal problem.
Job Titles:
- Autism Project ( ‘Trainer' in UCLA Applied Behaviour Analysis, 2007 )