First class honours student’s Call to the Bar
A graduate of the pupillage programme at law firm Appleby has been Called to the Bar.
Ashley Bento spent the first 12 months of her two-year training stint at the firm in the corporate and insurance departments.
Ms Bento now works with John Wasty, the global co-head of the firm’s dispute resolution practice, and head of Bermuda’s dispute resolution department.
Mr Wasty sang Ms Bento’s praises last Friday at a ceremony in the Supreme Court before Puisne Judge Nicole Stoneham.
He told the court: “She has competence, confidence and courage, all of which are fine qualities for a lawyer and which will stand her in good stead for a successful career in this honourable profession.”
Ms Bento said: “I am thrilled to be a part of this esteemed profession and for my legal career ahead where I will strive to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and the Bermuda Bar.”
Ms Bento gave a “heartfelt thank you” to her parents Connie and Antero Bento “for both their financial and emotional support” over her law degree and legal practice course.
She also thanked her brother Andy Bento and sister-in-law Andrea Bento, and her friend since preschool, Jamila Eve-Cann, for their support – and said she was grateful to the many friends who helped her deal with the stress and worry of study.
Ms Bento paid tribute to her mentors in Appleby’s corporate department, Matthew Carr and Jerome Wilson, as well as to Clive Langley, for his support and encouragement.
She also thanked lawyer Hil de Frias “for being the example that you can be humble and a great lawyer at the same time” and Sharry Hall of legal firm MJM, who gave her first employment opportunity.
Ms Bento attended the Berkeley Institute and later earned an associate’s degree in arts and science with distinction from Bermuda College.
She graduated with a first class honours Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Greenwich in London in 2018 and completed the legal practice course at BPP University, also London.
She was awarded a bursary from Appleby in 2016 and in 2018 was a recipient of the firm’s legal education award and training contract.
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